Access and Privacy Online

Access and Privacy Online


More Ontario school boards in deficit, using reserves: ministry documents

An increasing number of Ontario school boards are reporting deficits and are using or even depleting their reserves, according to internal Ministry of Education briefing documents. The association representing school boards in the province says while the Progressive Conservative government has boosted the education budget, increases have not kept pace with inflation, forcing boards to […]

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Taxpayers in 24 states will be able to file their returns directly with the IRS in 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is expanding its program that allows people to file their taxes directly with the agency for free. The federal tax collector’s Direct File program, which allows taxpayers to calculate and submit their returns to the government directly without using commercial tax preparation software, will be open to more than 30 […]

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Ontario teacher shortage to worsen in 2027, ministry document warns

Ontario is staring down a teacher shortage as retirements and student enrolment are both on the rise, and the Ministry of Education expects the situation will start to get even worse in 2027. The warning is contained in a series of briefing documents for the new minister of education, obtained by The Canadian Press through […]

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No one expects a judge’s rollback of Georgia’s abortion ban to be the last word

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — When a Georgia judge overturned the state’s abortion ban this week, abortion rights advocates praised the ruling and opponents denounced it — all knowing the state’s top court could put it on hold in coming days or weeks. Any changes to abortion policy in Southern states could have an impact that […]

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Appeals court reinstates Indiana lawsuit against TikTok alleging child safety, privacy concerns

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Court of Appeals has reinstated a lawsuit filed by the state accusing TikTok of deceiving its users about the video-sharing platform’s level of inappropriate content for children and the security of its consumers’ personal information. In a 3-0 ruling issued Monday, a three-judge panel of the state appeals court reversed […]

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Judge strikes down Georgia ban on abortions, allowing them to resume beyond 6 weeks into pregnancy

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge on Monday struck down the state’s abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in his order that the law violates Georgia’s Constitution, finding that “liberty in Georgia includes in its meaning, […]

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Epic Games sues Google and Samsung over phone settings, accusing them of violating antitrust laws

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Video game maker Epic Games sued Google and Samsung on Monday, accusing the tech companies of coordinating to block third-party competition in application distribution on Samsung devices. At issue is Samsung’s “Auto Blocker” feature, which only allows for apps from authorized sources, such as the Samsung Galaxy Store or Google Play […]

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23 bilingual municipalities ask judge to suspend portions of Quebec language law

A group of 23 bilingual municipalities asked a Quebec Superior Court judge on Monday to suspend several portions of the province’s 2022 language reform, arguing that the application of the law will cause them serious and irreparable harm. Lawyer Julius Grey told the Montreal courtroom that the law contains measures that will have “enormous consequences” […]

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California governor vetoes bill to create first-in-nation AI safety measures

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a landmark bill aimed at establishing first-in-the-nation safety measures for large artificial intelligence models Sunday. The decision is a major blow to efforts attempting to rein in the homegrown industry that is rapidly evolving with little oversight. The bill would have established some of the first […]

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Woodstock Hospital suffers another privacy breach

The Woodstock Hospital is dealing with another breach of privacy and at least one person affected has no idea what information was leaked. The Woodstock resident, who did not want to be named, was a part of the breach and said it’s disturbing to find out this is the second incident in 2024. “I am […]

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20240928 Access and Privacy Online

Show Notes for Saturday September 28th. 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 Notes: Federal bridge contingency plan includes outdated information  https://fipa.bc.ca/federal-bridge-contingency-plan-includes-outdated-information/  The Eastern Graphic https://www.peicanada.com/eastern_graphic/federal-bridge-contingency-plan-includes-outdated-information/article_54018d70-7a78-11ef-8fb3-871d11692d0c.html  Bonnerworth Park plan will result in more ‘passive use’ green space: […]

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Kentucky sign language interpreter honored in program to give special weather radios to the deaf

Putting grant money into action is routine for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, but an effort to provide weather alerts to people who are deaf or hard of hearing is tugging at his heart. The grant-backed campaign to distribute 700 specially adapted weather alert radios to the deaf and hard of hearing is named in honor […]

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