Access and Privacy Online

Access and Privacy Online


Judge awards $6.6 million to whistleblowers who reported Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to FBI

A district court judge on Friday awarded more than $6 million combined to four whistleblowers in their lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who were fired shortly after they reported him to the FBI. “By a preponderance of the evidence,” Travis County Judge Catherine Mauzy says in her judgment, the plaintiffs proved liability, damages […]

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Canada updates travel guidance for U.S., warning of heightened scrutiny at the border

Canada has updated its advice to those travelling to the United States, warning travellers they may face “scrutiny” from border guards and the possibility of detention if denied entry. An updated advisory issued Friday by Global Affairs Canada urges Canadians crossing the U.S. border to be forthcoming with officials in that country and to expect […]

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20250405 Access and Privacy Online

Show Notes for Saturday April 5. 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 AI Police and Courts  Canadian police partner with AI in arms race against criminals. But at what cost?  https://fipa.bc.ca/canadian-police-partner-with-ai-in-arms-race-against-criminals-but-at-what-cost/   Does artificial intelligence deserve a seat in Canada’s […]

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Trump abruptly fires the 4-star general who headed the National Security Agency

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has abruptly fired the director of the National Security Agency, according to U.S. officials and members of Congress, but the White House and the Pentagon have provided no reasons for the move. Senior military leaders were informed Thursday of the firing of Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, who also […]

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China hit brakes on TikTok deal after Trump announced wide-ranging tariffs, AP source says

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday said he is signing an executive order to keep TikTok running in the U.S. for another 75 days to give his administration more time to broker a deal to bring the social media platform under American ownership. The order was announced as White House officials believed they […]

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Ontario man charged in alleged theft of Texas Republican Party data

An Ontario man is facing charges in an alleged theft and leak of Texas Republican Party data in 2021. The U.S. Department of Justice says the 37-old-man from Oshawa was arrested last week and is facing charges under Canadian law. It says the accused gained unauthorized access to a third-party hosting company’s computer system to […]

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Chemical industry seeks exemptions from US pollution rules as part of Trump administration offer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Industry groups representing hundreds of chemical and petrochemical manufacturers are seeking blanket exemptions from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene. The request by the American Chemistry Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers comes as the Trump administration offers industrial polluters a chance […]

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Wheatland County establishes Artificial Intelligence policy

Artificial intelligence has continued to grow as a popular technological tool to streamline and make processes more efficient, but as use has grown so, too, have concerns about potential transparency and ethical uses.  During the regular Tuesday, March 4 Wheatland County council meeting, council approved the establishment of a new policy regarding the responsible and […]

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Quebec government tables bill to combat election disinformation and interference

The Quebec government introduced a bill on Thursday to “preserve the integrity of the electoral process” by tackling deliberate disinformation and election interference. The bill tabled by Jean-François Roberge, the province’s minister for democratic institutions, would make it an offence to knowingly spread false information to influence or disturb an election or compromise the public’s […]

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US energy department invites AI data center development at Los Alamos and other federal lands

The U.S. Department of Energy said it has identified 16 federal sites, including storied nuclear research laboratories such as Los Alamos, where tech companies could build data centers in a push to accelerate commercial development of artificial intelligence technology. The sites are “uniquely positioned for rapid data center construction, including in-place energy infrastructure with the […]

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How Transport Canada’s Education on Residential Schools Went So Wrong

Less than an hour into Transport Canada’s online presentation for employees on the legacy of residential schools, things went wrong. The October event was the first in a series to provide the department’s staff across the country with information on the history and impact of residential schools. But it was quickly derailed as attendees made […]

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Trump ordered to pay legal bill of UK firm he sued over Russia dossier

LONDON (AP) — A British judge on Thursday ordered U.S. President Donald Trump to pay more than 625,000 pounds ($820,000) in legal costs to a company he unsuccessfully sued over a dossier alleging he took part in sex acts in Russia. Trump filed a claim in 2022 against Orbis Business Intelligence, a consulting firm founded […]

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