Access and Privacy Online

Access and Privacy Online


Police say hacker wanted bitcoin payment from blackmailed N.S. legislator

RCMP say a hacker behind a blackmail attempt on a member of the Nova Scotia legislature was trying to extort bitcoin. Rick Burns, who represents Hammonds Plains-Lucasville, said in a statement Wednesday that criminals hacked his email this week and requested money, which his family refused to pay. As punishment, the ministerial assistant for cybersecurity […]

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Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A Brazilian law that seeks to shield minors from addictive, violent and pornographic online content took effect this week, with experts calling it a milestone in the protection of children and adolescents. The issue gained traction in August, after influencer Felipe Bressanim, known as Felca, published a video denouncing the […]

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Critics urge Ottawa to help Inuit resist Chinese surveillance, economic dependence

The Carney government is leaving Inuit communities at risk of Chinese surveillance and economic dependence and isn’t facing up to the threat China poses to the North, critics say. “Inuit communities are central to the challenge. Yet they are often not provided with the resources, information or technical support needed to fully assess these complex […]

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Most Canadians want to ban or regulate algorithmic pricing, poll shows

Most Canadians want the government to ban or regulate the use of algorithms to set prices, a new poll suggests — with half of respondents saying the practice is unfair because it can result in people paying different prices for the same product. The Abacus Data poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned […]

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MD of Pincher Creek council briefs: Wildlife fencing concerns, invasive species prevention, social media policy

Drivers have reported seeing deer trapped on Highway 3 between tall fences installed as part of the Rock Creek wildlife underpass, a resident told Municipal District of Pincher Creek council. In correspondence received at the Feb. 24 regular meeting, David McIntyre raised concerns about the new wildlife fencing. He suggested that several older fences in […]

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Manitoba bill targets technology that could alter grocery prices for some shoppers

The Manitoba government says it’s moving to ban what it calls “predatory pricing” on groceries, even though the issue hasn’t been seen locally. Finance Minister Adrien Sala says a bill introduced in the legislature last week is aimed at ensuring shoppers won’t be charged different prices for the same product from the same store. Sala […]

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Halton Hills weighs whistleblower policy

Halton Hills is taking its first formal step toward creating a whistleblower policy, following unanimous support from council. Coun. Jason Brass brought forward a resolution March 9 that directs town staff to investigate how whistleblower programs operate in other municipalities and report back on what would be required to implement a similar framework in Halton […]

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Hundreds of migrants are vanishing in the Mediterranean. Authorities are withholding information

ROME (AP) — Bodies washing ashore day after day. Phone calls from relatives going unanswered. Migrants’ tents abandoned overnight. Migrants trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as “invisible shipwrecks” but governments responsible for search and rescue are withholding information about what they know. The beginning of 2026 ranks as […]

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Tax scams are on the rise. Here’s what to know

NEW YORK (AP) — Robocalls, texts, and phishing emails from scammers are up this tax season compared to previous years, with artificial intelligence likely increasing fraud attempts, according to the consumer protection bureau of the Federal Trade Commission. Consumer advocates and government officials urge the public to stay wary, to stop and think before engaging […]

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Via Rail ‘needs to improve its service’ despite solid management: auditor general

Via Rail needs to improve its service — punctuality, in particular — according to Canada’s auditor general, who nonetheless gave solid marks to the Crown corporation’s management practices. In a report, Karen Hogan said that over the past decade Via has failed to improve its on-time performance, which sank to a dismal 30 per cent […]

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More details emerge on pay of Manitoba trade representative in Washington D.C.

The Manitoba government defended its trade representative in Washington, D.C., on Monday as more details emerged about how much taxpayers are providing the consultant. Former television reporter Richard Madan was hired in June to help promote Manitoba’s interests in the U.S. and fight tariffs and other trade measures imposed by the U.S. administration. The Manitoba […]

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Town claims provincial pressure on wharf project

Staff from the Town of Saint Andrews claim they were pressured by the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) to progress with the Market Wharf and Market Square refurbishment project despite the department approving a deadline extension application from the town well into 2027. New documents obtained by The Courier through a Right to Information and Protection […]

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