BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
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Here’s how to recycle those old laptops, iPhones and earbuds lying around
Many consumers are guilty of filling drawers or closets with old laptops, cellphones, fitness trackers and other electronic devices once they are no longer needed. It’s hard to know where to recycle those items, or it seems costly and inconvenient. The world generates millions of tons of electronic waste — also called e-waste — each…
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Jury begins deliberations in landmark New Mexico trial over children’s safety risks on Meta
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A jury began deliberations Monday in a landmark trial in New Mexico where social media conglomerate Meta is accused of misleading its users about how safe its platforms are for children. Meta’s attorneys dispute the claims and say the company provides built-in protections for teenagers and weeds out harmful content…
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License plate reader cameras abound in Nevada. The state has no laws to regulate them.
At least five cities and counties in the state — including Clark County, Reno and Sparks — have penned agreements with an automated license plate reader company called Flock Safety in the past three years. It’s brought in a new wave of cameras that collect data such as license plate information and the make and…
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Network shutdown leaves Wisconsin lawmakers meeting outside of public view
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The shutdown of Wisconsin’s version of C-SPAN amid a fundraising shortfall has led to state lawmakers meeting outside of public view, fueling complaints from open government advocates and putting pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal to revive the network. WisconsinEye had broadcast every floor session of the state Senate and…
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Brampton residents in the dark about taxpayer-funded trip to Taiwan: airfare for one councillor cost $5,600
In a city strapped for cash, where vital infrastructure projects have been cancelled or stalled for years under Mayor Patrick Brown, whose own spending has skyrocketed despite claims of fiscal belt tightening, the globetrotting by council members and staff continues to frustrate Brampton taxpayers forced to pay for these lavish trips. There is little public…
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PCs invite public input ahead of Budget 2026
The Tony Wakeham government is welcoming input from residents, businesses, unions and others and ahead of the 2026 provincial budget, the Progressive Conservative Party’s first in 11 years. On Tuesday the PCs announced a 28-day window for residents and business owners to fill out an online questionnaire on the government’s EngageNL website. Thy also said…
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TikTok finalizes a deal to form a new American entity
TikTok has finalized a deal to create a new American entity, avoiding the looming threat of a ban in the United States that has been in discussion for years on the platform now used by more than 200 million Americans. The social video platform company signed agreements with major investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and…
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How Norway’s ski jumping scandal led to new rules in place for the Winter Olympics
The difference between winning an Olympic medal in ski jumping or being disqualified could come down to a bit of fabric. A larger suit can extend a ski jumper’s flight by several meters but it could violate rules that have become more stringent after the Norwegian team was caught cheating at last year’s world championships…
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Google offers users option to plug AI mode into their photos, email for more personalized answers
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google is leveraging its artificial intelligence technology to open a new peephole for its dominant search engine to tailor answers that draw upon people’s interests, habits, travel itineraries and photo libraries. The new option rolling out Thursday will give millions of people the option of turning on a recently introduced tool…
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Under Armour looking into data breach affecting customers’ email addresses
BALTIMORE (AP) — Clothing retailer Under Armour is investigating a recent data breach that purloined customers’ email addresses and other personal information, but so far there are no signs the hackers stole any passwords or financial information. The breach is believed to have happened late last year, and affected 72 million email addresses, according to…
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Tens of thousands of Canadian marine animals killed or maimed by ‘ghost gear’
A “shocking” amount of marine life is being ensnared in abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear adrift in Canada’s oceans, internal federal data reveals. Nearly 86,000 marine animals were caught up in “ghost gear” between 2020 and 2023, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) data obtained by Canada’s National Observer through an access to…