Access and Privacy Online

Access and Privacy Online


20250308 Access and Privacy Online

Show Notes for Saturday March 8. 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 Nova Scotia’s Transparency Under Fire  ‘Former N.S. privacy commissioner wants office to gain resources, more powers  https://fipa.bc.ca/former-n-s-privacy-commissioner-wants-office-to-gain-resources-more-powers/   N.S. premier restores legislature scrums amid accusations of assault on press […]

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A judge in the nation’s capital declines to block DOGE from Treasury systems

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Washington refused Friday to block employees of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury systems containing sensitive personal data for millions of Americans. She acknowledged, however, privacy concerns about their work. DOGE is still limited by a different court order in New York. In Washington, U.S. […]

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Fired head of federal watchdog agency says he’s ending his legal battle over his removal by Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fired head of a federal watchdog agency said Thursday that he’s abandoning his legal battle against the Trump administration to get his job back, acknowledging he was likely facing a tough road before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hampton Dellinger said he was dropping his case a day after the federal appeals […]

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Attorneys file class action appeals to federal board for thousands of workers Trump fired

Attorneys said Thursday they’ve filed class action appeals to a federal board for thousands of workers fired by President Donald Trump. Several appeals already have been filed against multiple federal agencies, with plans to bring about 15 more on behalf of thousands of fired probationary federal workers, said Christopher Bonk, a partner at Gilbert Employment Law. […]

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Georgetown law dean rebuffs DEI warning from top federal prosecutor for DC

WASHINGTON (AP) — Georgetown Law School’s dean on Thursday rebuffed an unusual warning from the top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C., that his office won’t hire the private school’s students if it doesn’t eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Dean William Treanor told acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin that the First Amendment prohibits the government […]

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Albania shuts down TikTok for a year amid concerns over violence among children

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Albanian Cabinet decided on Thursday to shut down TikTok for 12 months, blaming the popular video-sharing platform for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said officials are in contact with TikTok on installing filters like parental control, age verification and the inclusion of the Albanian […]

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Appeals court allows removal of watchdog agency head as legal battle rages over Trump firing

WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court in Washington removed the head of a federal watchdog agency on Wednesday in the latest twist in a legal fight over Republican President Donald Trump’s authority to fire the special counsel. A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit sided with the Trump administration in allowing […]

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US charges Chinese hackers, government officials in broad cybercrime campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) — Twelve Chinese nationals, including mercenary hackers, law enforcement officers and employees of a private hacking company, have been charged in connection with global cybercrime campaigns targeting dissidents, news organizations, U.S. agencies and universities, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. A set of criminal cases filed in New York and Washington add new detail […]

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One oil and gas site was ‘stinky,’ another was ‘gurgling.’ B.C. officials gave them a pass anyway

This investigation is a collaboration between The Narwhal and Investigative Journalism Foundation. “Serious deficiency.” “Very stinky.” “Leakage.” “A hazard.” Those are some of the ways BC Energy Regulator officials described oil and gas sites when they documented apparent environmental infractions during routine inspections, according to internal documents.  The regulator, a provincial government agency, is largely […]

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Veterans are speaking out on the Trump administration’s plans to cut the VA’s budget

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Stephen Watson served in the Marines for 22 years and receives care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for a traumatic brain injury. He supports President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk’s cost-cutting program — even if it affects the VA. “We’re no better because we’re veterans,” said Watson, 68, of […]

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Manitoba school boards adapt to tariffs by halting travel, preparing for cost hikes

Transcona’s school board has decided to stop paying for teachers and other employees to participate in U.S.-based education conferences and training opportunities. The River East Transcona School Division, which operates 42 schools in northeast Winnipeg, is the latest to promote domestic tourism — in the form of student field trips and staff professional development — […]

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Environmental groups criticize Albania for delay in probing suspected toxic waste

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Environmental groups on Tuesday criticized Albania’s silence and lack of progress in analyzing 102 containers suspected of carrying a large amount of hazardous waste. Albanian prosecutors have put the containers in Porto Romano, 6 kilometers (4 miles) from Durres port, saying they would ask government institutions to conduct lab tests. The […]

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