Access and Privacy Online

Access and Privacy Online


County Council Approves Comprehensive AI Policy

MIDDLESEX COUNTY – On November 26, county council approved a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy aimed at guiding the ethical and effective use of AI technologies across its operations. The policy sets a framework to maximize the potential of AI tools while ensuring compliance with privacy and data security regulations such as Ontario’s Municipal Freedom […]

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IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power

WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes since the nation’s tax collector received a massive glut of funding through Democrats’ flagship tax, climate and health law in 2022. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised […]

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One Tech Tip: How to protect your communications through encryption

LONDON (AP) — After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom […]

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Montana Supreme Court upholds lower court ruling that allows gender-affirming care for minors

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors will remain temporarily blocked, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, after justices unanimously agreed with a lower court judge who found the law likely violates the state’s constitutional right to privacy. The case against the Montana law now goes to trial […]

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Trump says he’ll name Andrew Ferguson head of FTC; Kimberly Guilfoyle as Ambassador to Greece

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission. He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. It […]

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The fight to look inside the shrouded folder St. Catharines council makes it hard for you to see

Recognizing the central role of accountability and transparency at City Hall, Ontario’s Municipal Act grants municipalities powers to ensure good governance.  Councils have the responsibility to ensure the operations of the municipality, run by senior management, are conducted openly and subject to public scrutiny. According to the City’s website, St. Catharines is committed to organizational […]

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Mexican soldiers will get a pay raise after elimination of oversight agencies, president says

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Monday that much of the money gained by eliminating independent oversight and regulatory agencies will go to the army to fund a rise in soldiers’ pay. The announcement by President Claudia Sheinbaum is the latest in a a series of new and unusual funding sources to pay for […]

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20241207 Access and Privacy Online

Show Notes for Saturday December 7th. Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM. 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 Canadian News  More than 7,200 Saskatchewan residents affected by health-record breach: Report   https://fipa.bc.ca/more-than-7200-saskatchewan-residents-affected-by-health-record-breach-report/    New community watch program boosts safety in Oakville […]

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Canada’s top court dismisses appeal in Ontario drug trafficking case

Police were justified in using a drug dealer’s phone to orchestrate the arrest of a suspect in a drug trafficking operation without first getting a warrant due to the urgency of the situation, Canada’s top court ruled Friday in dismissing an Ontario man’s appeal. Dwayne Alexander Campbell sought to have his drug trafficking conviction overturned, […]

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Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US

A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied […]

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Bahamian police chief resigns after US indicts officers in a massive drug trafficking case

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The Bahamas’ police commissioner has resigned after a sergeant and two officers were recently indicted in the U.S. in what federal authorities describe as a case of massive drug trafficking. The Bahamas’ prime minister, Philip Brave Davis, announced on Wednesday that Clayton Fernander was stepping down, noting that he […]

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Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Democrats are pushing this month to pass legislation they say will improve reproductive health care, in particular the safety of digital health data, ahead of Republicans taking over the state House in 2025. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is backing a bill designed to protect reproductive health data including data logged […]

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