BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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Social Security watchdog opens probe into alleged misuse of data by ex-DOGE employee
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Social Security Administration’s internal watchdog is investigating a whistleblower complaint into what it describes as a former Department of Government Efficiency worker’s potential misuse of data obtained from the Social Security Administration. According to a document the Associated Press obtained Wednesday, the SSA’s inspector general informed the leadership of four congressional…
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UN panel says racist hate speech by Trump and other US leaders has led to human rights violations
GENEVA (AP) — A U.N.-backed panel of independent experts focusing on racial discrimination says racist hate speech by U.S. President Donald Trump and other American political leaders, along with a crackdown on immigration in the United States, have led to “grave human rights violations.” The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its…
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Spy agency won’t release its TikTok advice to Ottawa, urges caution online
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service isn’t disclosing the advice it gave the federal government before Ottawa decided to allow TikTok to keep its Canadian operations. “CSIS encourages all Canadians to proceed cautiously regarding their online presence and to conduct their own research on the type of data being collected and who controls it before joining new social…
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OneBC party split over staffer’s ‘disgusting’ views on Jews, says ex-leader Brodie
British Columbia legislator Dallas Brodie, whose OneBC party has removed her as leader, said the split happened after colleagues tried to stop her from firing a caucus staffer whose views on Jewish people were “disgusting” and antisemitic. Brodie said she wanted the man removed because she is not a “neo-Nazi,” and it was “obscene” to…
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Canada’s food safety agency warns it couldn’t handle multiple emergencies
Canada’s food safety agency doubts it could adequately protect the food supply in the next two years if the country is hit with several concurrent emergencies, such as animal disease outbreaks or food safety recalls. The problem is exacerbated by climate change, with the agency warning the crisis could impact its infrastructure while boosting the…
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Anti-doping agency asks court to declare privacy watchdog’s probe out of bounds
The World Anti-Doping Agency is challenging the legal basis of the federal privacy watchdog’s investigation into the agency’s handling of biological samples collected from athletes. The office of privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne announced in November last year the investigation would examine whether the agency’s collection, use and disclosure practices respect Canada’s personal information law for…
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Puerto Rico governor signs bill that critics say will restrict access to public information
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González signed a polemic bill on Sunday that critics say is a blow to democracy and will make it more difficult to access public information in a U.S. territory long known for its lack of government transparency. González said the bill amends an existing law…
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Grassley built a reputation for government oversight. Has he abandoned it under Trump?
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump’s top law enforcement officials were firing and forcing out waves of Justice Department veterans, Sen. Chuck Grassley denounced a “political infection” that had poisoned FBI leadership. The Iowa Republican was not criticizing FBI Director Kash Patel or Attorney General Pam Bondi. In a July statement, he directed his…
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Two Renfrew councillors face pay suspensions although lighter than recommendations
Renfrew – Two members of Renfrew Town council were handed 10 and seven-day suspensions without pay, respectively, after the release of an Integrity Commissioner’s report regarding a complaint about a Facebook post made by one councillor and supported by another. Council had the opportunity to discuss the Integrity Commissioner’s findings at last Tuesday’s special meeting…
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A Chinese official exposed his boss. Now in Texas, he’s hunted by Beijing – with help from US tech
MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — Retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang was recuperating from cancer on a Korean resort island when he got an urgent call: Don’t return to China, a friend warned. You’re now a fugitive. Days later, a stranger snapped a photo of Li in a cafe. Terrified South Korea would send him back, Li…
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Justice Department asks appeals court to block judge’s contempt inquiry in mass deportation case
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department asked an appeals court Friday to block a contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to turn around planes carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador in March. The department also is seeking Chief Judge James Boasberg’s removal from the case, accusing him of a “radical, retaliatory, unconstitutional campaign”…