BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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Advocate hopes review of N.B. right-to-information law strengthens weak legislation
An advocate for government transparency hopes a review of New Brunswick’s right-to-information law makes it easier for the public to access documents and records. The Liberal government has asked for public submissions on its election promise to modernize legislation governing the public’s right to obtain information from provincial departments and agencies. The Centre for Law…
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Cyberattack on Russian airline Aeroflot causes the cancellation of more than 100 flights
A cyberattack on Russian state-owned flagship carrier Aeroflot caused a mass outage to the company’s computer systems on Monday, Russia’s prosecutor’s office said, forcing the airline to cancel more than 100 flights and delay others. Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow and Belarusian hacker activist group the Belarus Cyber-Partisans, which opposes the rule of Belarusian President…
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States file lawsuit against Trump administration over efforts to collect SNAP recipients’ data
Washington (AP) — A coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Trump administration’s demand that their states turn over personal data of people enrolled in a federally funded food assistance program, fearing the information will be used to aid mass deportations. The data demand comes as the Trump administration has…
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Boeing’s financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge US to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost $355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers. CEO David Calhoun said the company is in “a…
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‘Violation’: CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer’s allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman. She is the same officer whose sexual assault allegations in a story published by…
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‘Thrown under the ferry’: Southern Sunshine Coast FAC chair reacts to BC Ferries security report
After over seven months of meetings being on hold, BC Ferries will be moving back to in-person engagement. Virtual ferry advisory committee (FAC) meetings will begin in May, and in-person meetings will resume in June, said an April 19 press release. Last summer, BC Ferries experienced several incidents where there were concerns raised about staff…
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Border agency eyes smartphone facial recognition system amid privacy concerns
Travellers would be able to use facial recognition technology to identify themselves through their smartphones when crossing the border under a planned federal project. The Canada Border Services Agency says the initiative would allow for a faster and more seamless travel experience. A pilot project is still two to four years away, but an Ottawa-based…
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Senate passes bill forcing TikTok’s parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that’s expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on the short-form video app for income. …
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Trump called this visa ‘very bad’ for Americans. Truth Social applied for one
MIAMI (AP) — The social media company founded by former President Donald Trump applied for a business visa program that he sought to restrict during his administration and which many of his allies want him to curtail in a potential second term. Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social, filed an application…
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UnitedHealth says wide swath of patient files may have been taken in Change cyberattack
UnitedHealth says files with personal information that could cover a “substantial portion of people in America” may have been taken in the cyberattack earlier this year on its Change Healthcare business. The company said Monday after markets closed that it sees no signs that doctor charts or full medical histories were released after the attack.…
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Cyberattacks are on the rise, and that includes small businesses. Here’s what to know
NEW YORK (AP) — Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend because a breach can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with one. According to the Verizon 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, the median cost per ransomware attack — which features a…