Unlawful Access: the coming Canadian surveillance state

Oct 11, 2011

Unlawful Access: the coming Canadian surveillance state

Warrantless wiretapping may be coming to Canada. In May 2011, Canada's Conservative government promised that, if re-elected with a majority, they would quickly pass legislation containing surveillance measures known as LAWFUL ACCESS. These measures, which would entrench and legitimize a surveillance society in Canada, while drastically curtailing civil liberties and privacy, would have profoundly negative implications for social movements, democracy, and the open internet.

If passed, this bill would result in:

  • new police powers to access data gathered by Internet Service Providers
  • mandatory disclosure of customer information without court oversight
  • real-time surveillance using technologies installed within ISPs networks

The Unlawful Access Project is part of a national campaign to educate about and build opposition to the legislation. Check it out for more information about Lawful Access, and additional video.

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update: The legislation was formally announced on February 13th by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, and has prompted a huge public backlash.