BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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20260411 Access and Privacy Online
Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, April 11th.
This week, we’re tracking a troubling new phase in the pressure on access and privacy rights across Canada.
In British Columbia, the provincial government has confirmed it is now using artificial intelligence tools in freedom of information processing, even as concerns grow about transparency, accountability and the lack of a clear public framework. We’ll also look at how FIPA brought those broader concerns to the Privacy and Access Council of Canada this week, as the pattern of so-called modernization continues to narrow access rights in multiple provinces.
Elsewhere, Ontario’s government is facing backlash over sweeping budget legislation that would retroactively shield political records from freedom-of-information law, while in Alberta, access-obtained documents raise fresh concerns about ideological influence over public education.
And internationally, the pressure is rising on Big Tech, as courts and governments take a much harder line on youth social media harms and platform accountability.
Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, Podchaser, Boomplay.
Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca
You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.
Full Show Links
FIPA Bill C-4
- House of Commons E-Petition
- Bill C-4 Dashboard
FIPA and Network Update
- BC Government Is Using AI to Redact Personal Information
- FIPA at PACC WWW
- Rob Shaw: Eby government moves to rewrite the rules as court losses mount
- Passing of Bill C-12 is an Attack on Refugee and Migrant Rights in Canada
- Joint Statement: Senate Must Ensure Thorough Review of Bill C-9 to Protect Civil Liberties and Fundamental Freedoms
- C-22: New “Lawful Access” Bill will Supercharge Government Surveillance and Undermine Privacy
- Liberal bill would force companies to simplify data access for police. No one knows the cost
FOI Canada
- Opposition fears Doug Ford’s omnibus budget bill will be fast-tracked through to law
- Anti-Doug Ford demonstration held in downtown Orangeville opposing provincial decisions
- Ontario Autism Program spend now nearly $1B, advocates hope it makes dent in waitlist
- Local residents join province-wide Fight Ford protest
- ‘Budget you’d pass if climate change wasn’t a problem’: Ford doubles down on highways
- David Barrick gone after less than 3 months in latest municipal CAO role, weeks after banning Pointer reporter
- Alberta premier and education minister had private meeting with groups behind push to ‘conservatize’ Alberta school boards and ban LGBTQ books
- Alberta introduces bill to reduce child access to sex images in public libraries
- Almost a third of police probes of diplomatic missions see subjects leave Canada
- RCMP infiltrated Indigenous movements during Cold War era
- The Manitoulin Expositor – https://www.manitoulin.com/rcmp-infiltrated-indigenous-movements-during-cold-war-era/
- Sovereignty or Stewardship? The $28.7M Rift Dividing the FSIN
Privacy Canada
- Quebec Superior Court authorizes class action against Uber over cancellation fees
- N.L. doctors warn of ‘exodus of physicians’ over mandatory information system
- New boss at N.S. Power says he wants to rebuild trust after cyberattack
- Lawyers for Toronto cop accused in corruption probe ask court to review bail ruling
- Did an RCMP Sting Op Make Sex Work More Dangerous?
- Federal privacy law changes would expand sharing of personal data across government
International
- Indonesia starts implementing social media restrictions for children under 16
- Verdicts against Meta, YouTube validate concerns long raised by parents, child safety advocates
- EU targets Snapchat over child safety and accuses porn sites of failing to block minors
- In the wake of US social media verdicts, a look at what limits other countries have imposed for kids
- Hacked hospitals, hidden spyware: Iran conflict shows how digital fight is ingrained in warfare
- Video shows Minnesota dad and boy were flown on Delta to ICE detention in Texas
- Georgia proposal could take DNA swabs from immigrants in custody for minor offenses
- Georgia’s Fulton County and the Trump administration square off in court over seized 2020 ballots
- It’s International Fact-Checking Day. Refresh your AI identification skills
- New York Times accuses Pentagon of flouting judge’s order blocking its press access policy
- A look at how the Epstein files dogged Pam Bondi’s time as attorney general
- Judges say ICC prosecutor in sexual misconduct inquiry can potentially resume work, documents show
Before we go
- Cochrane makes changes after audit finds serious issues
Other FIPA Updates
- Access and Privacy Online in the Classroom
Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, April 11th.
This week, we’re tracking a troubling new phase in the pressure on access and privacy rights across Canada.
In British Columbia, the provincial government has confirmed it is now using artificial intelligence tools in freedom of information processing, even as concerns grow about transparency, accountability and the lack of a clear public framework. We’ll also look at how FIPA brought those broader concerns to the Privacy and Access Council of Canada this week, as the pattern of so-called modernization continues to narrow access rights in multiple provinces.
Elsewhere, Ontario’s government is facing backlash over sweeping budget legislation that would retroactively shield political records from freedom-of-information law, while in Alberta, access-obtained documents raise fresh concerns about ideological influence over public education.
And internationally, the pressure is rising on Big Tech, as courts and governments take a much harder line on youth social media harms and platform accountability.
Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, Podchaser, Boomplay.
Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca
You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.
Full Show Links
FIPA Bill C-4
- House of Commons E-Petition
- Bill C-4 Dashboard
FIPA and Network Update
- BC Government Is Using AI to Redact Personal Information
- FIPA at PACC WWW
- Rob Shaw: Eby government moves to rewrite the rules as court losses mount
- Passing of Bill C-12 is an Attack on Refugee and Migrant Rights in Canada
- Joint Statement: Senate Must Ensure Thorough Review of Bill C-9 to Protect Civil Liberties and Fundamental Freedoms
- C-22: New “Lawful Access” Bill will Supercharge Government Surveillance and Undermine Privacy
- Liberal bill would force companies to simplify data access for police. No one knows the cost
FOI Canada
- Opposition fears Doug Ford’s omnibus budget bill will be fast-tracked through to law
- Anti-Doug Ford demonstration held in downtown Orangeville opposing provincial decisions
- Ontario Autism Program spend now nearly $1B, advocates hope it makes dent in waitlist
- Local residents join province-wide Fight Ford protest
- ‘Budget you’d pass if climate change wasn’t a problem’: Ford doubles down on highways
- David Barrick gone after less than 3 months in latest municipal CAO role, weeks after banning Pointer reporter
- Alberta premier and education minister had private meeting with groups behind push to ‘conservatize’ Alberta school boards and ban LGBTQ books
- Alberta introduces bill to reduce child access to sex images in public libraries
- Almost a third of police probes of diplomatic missions see subjects leave Canada
- RCMP infiltrated Indigenous movements during Cold War era
- The Manitoulin Expositor – https://www.manitoulin.com/rcmp-infiltrated-indigenous-movements-during-cold-war-era/
- Sovereignty or Stewardship? The $28.7M Rift Dividing the FSIN
Privacy Canada
- Quebec Superior Court authorizes class action against Uber over cancellation fees
- N.L. doctors warn of ‘exodus of physicians’ over mandatory information system
- New boss at N.S. Power says he wants to rebuild trust after cyberattack
- Lawyers for Toronto cop accused in corruption probe ask court to review bail ruling
- Did an RCMP Sting Op Make Sex Work More Dangerous?
- Federal privacy law changes would expand sharing of personal data across government
International
- Indonesia starts implementing social media restrictions for children under 16
- Verdicts against Meta, YouTube validate concerns long raised by parents, child safety advocates
- EU targets Snapchat over child safety and accuses porn sites of failing to block minors
- In the wake of US social media verdicts, a look at what limits other countries have imposed for kids
- Hacked hospitals, hidden spyware: Iran conflict shows how digital fight is ingrained in warfare
- Video shows Minnesota dad and boy were flown on Delta to ICE detention in Texas
- Georgia proposal could take DNA swabs from immigrants in custody for minor offenses
- Georgia’s Fulton County and the Trump administration square off in court over seized 2020 ballots
- It’s International Fact-Checking Day. Refresh your AI identification skills
- New York Times accuses Pentagon of flouting judge’s order blocking its press access policy
- A look at how the Epstein files dogged Pam Bondi’s time as attorney general
- Judges say ICC prosecutor in sexual misconduct inquiry can potentially resume work, documents show
Before we go
- Cochrane makes changes after audit finds serious issues
Other FIPA Updates
- Access and Privacy Online in the Classroom