BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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Trump’s order to block ‘woke’ AI in government encourages tech giants to censor their chatbots
Tech companies looking to sell their artificial intelligence technology to the federal government must now contend with a new regulatory hurdle: proving their chatbots aren’t “woke.” President Donald Trump’s sweeping new plan to counter China in achieving “global dominance” in AI promises to cut regulations and cement American values into the AI tools increasingly used…
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Provincial code of conduct in schools protects students from gender, sexual orientation disclosure
As other provinces police LGBTTQ+ pronouns in schools, Manitoba is doubling down on its support for students to explore their identities on their own timeline. The Education Department released a new provincial code of conduct for kindergarten-to-Grade 12 schools on June 11. The 38-page document provides guidance on how to navigate student behaviour issues and…
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A former security guard at the US Embassy in Norway is accused of spying for Russia and Iran
OSLO, Norway (AP) — A former security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Norway has been indicted by prosecutors there on suspicion of espionage after he allegedly spied for Russia and Iran, state broadcaster NRK said Wednesday. The Norwegian man, whose name has not been made public, was arrested last November on suspicion of having…
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B.C. tables anti-racism legislation, promises to hold public bodies accountable
The British Columbia government tabled legislation Thursday that’s designed to hold public bodies accountable for addressing systemic racism in policy and programs, the province’s attorney general said. Niki Sharma said the proposed law would cover provincial ministries, agencies, health-care and social service providers, and require the development of a public action plan using data the…
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Mali’s junta bans the media from reporting on political activities in a deepening crackdown
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — In a deepening crackdown, Mali’s ruling junta on Thursday banned the media from reporting on activities of political parties and associations, a day after suspending all political activities in the country until further notice. The order, issued by Mali’s high authority for communication, was distributed on social media. The notice said…
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Supreme Court won’t hear families’ years-long case over access to Bernardo documents
Canada’s top court says it won’t hear arguments about the release of prison and parole documents concerning serial killer Paul Bernardo. The decision marks the end of a years-long battle to expose confidential information used to decide Bernardo’s prospects for parole. Family members of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French have long sought the release of…
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South Carolina’s top officer not releasing details on 2012 hack that stole millions of tax returns
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Twelve years after a hacker stole personal data from more than 3.6 million people in South Carolina by obtaining Social Security numbers and credit card information from tax returns, the state’s top police officer said Wednesday he thought he knew who did it but wasn’t ready to name anyone. State Law…
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New to Canada? Beware, you’re twice as likely to become a fraud victim, survey reveals
This article was produced as part of an Inclusive Journalism Microcredential offered by New Canadian Media and Seneca Polytechnic. Learn more here. Newcomers in Canada are more than twice as likely to fall prey to scams compared to other residents, with more than one-third reporting they have been targeted by fraudsters, according to Scotiabank’s 2024…
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Florida GOP leader apologizes for trashing hotel room and says he’ll seek help for alcoholism
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — A leader of the Republican Party of Florida has apologized for being excessively drunk and urinating and vomiting all over his room at a hotel last week, saying he has been dealing with alcoholism and mental health issues. George Riley, executive director of the state GOP, said Tuesday that he was…
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FirstEnergy made secret $1 million payment in 2017 to support ‘Husted campaign’ in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Akron-based energy company at the center of a $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio gave a secret $1 million contribution to a dark money group backing Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted in his 2018 bid for governor, cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer reported Wednesday. The contribution from FirstEnergy Corp. to Freedom Frontier,…
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Saint John homeowner must be out of expropriated home by June 1
Time is running out for a homeowner who was ordered to leave after his south end house was expropriated by the province for a new school in Saint John. On Wednesday in Saint John Court of Kings Bench, Justice William Grant approved a request from the province for a warrant to have Thomas Craft removed…