Some privacy thoughts
I've mentioned privacy concerns in many posts (eg, 'Showtime!') and included a link about the former Privacy Commissioner's resignation. Yet, I didn't comment on this situation, as I know little about the case, and merely have an inkling of the problems ahead.
However, to avoid any assumptions about my position, here are some thoughts on the whole privacy thing, and about former Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski's sudden departure from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in 2003.
Most people have no idea how badly both privacy and civil rights in Canada are eroding. Authorities can access, store, and data mine all your personal information - be it telephone conversations, faxes, emails, personal contacts, memberships, data files, digital photos, card purchases, finances, travels, medical records, and so forth - not only now and in the future, but from years ago. For example, every message you ever sent to a dating site or chatline can be tracked and recorded - forever.
If someone watched your surfing habits for just a day, right down to the sentence you looked at, or what you type, they could learn a lot about you. By monitoring your email network, they'd have an inside view of social clusters and communities. Don't think it's possible? Besides global surveillance technology, some company marketing tests use computer screens and equipment to track where you look, for how long, your stress response, etc.*
Regrettably, the laws that safeguard our privacy are being set aside in the name of corporate development (monopolies?) and national security. So far, the only people who seem to recognize this fact are mostly folks in the electronic communications field (eg, digital media, wireless, internet) - and of these, only a minority are concerned about what the future holds. (Sorry, no survey polls here. I say this based on my own encounters and conversations with people.)
About former Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski, I believe he was committed in his job role of ensuring privacy protection for citizens/consumers in Canada. Here's one example of his efforts: 'Privacy Commissioner Launches Charter Challenge' (June 21, 2002).
They could easily create 'dirt' about him by reporting financial mismanagement. Or maybe, being a journalist, he's more word-focused, than number-inclined. But even if the allegations are true, which would be disappointing, at least he wasn't a puppet or 'yes-man'. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I'm more interested in why he was squeezed out.
This Maclean's article on Auditor General Sheila Fraser's recommended changes also has me concerned: 'overly restrictive privacy laws' is mentioned first.
Yes, perhaps revamping Canada's privacy laws would be helpful, if people understood the importance of privacy rights and proper regulation, and if a citizens' taskforce were already in place. Also, while many organizations may have privacy policies, this doesn't guarantee security or confidentiality. Any private investigator can probably confirm this.
See CBC News article: Wiretap laws need overhaul, police chiefs say' (August 23, 2004)
This isn't simply about privacy: it's about the control of EVERYTHING. This can and does affect freedom and autonomy. By studying a person, organization, or community in-depth, it's easy to falsely characterize or control them. Things may be done to people, or they can be manipulated in a multitude of different ways. I've been observing this for several years now.
(Yes, I know, I myself am an increasingly manipulative (read, desperate) person, but look at how successful I am: I have few, if any friends; most people don't believe what I say; I think many former acquaintances have been converted by the government; and beyond this blog, I have no social or political influence, whatsoever. If I'm considered a smooth politician, boy, watch out.)
See George Radwanski's 'Privacy, Autonomy, and the Limits of Technology' (Privacy Lecture Series; March 26, 2001).
For more of my rambling thoughts about privacy in Canada, see: 'Showtime!' and U.S. Patriot Act post, or enter 'privacy' in the search box above (left corner).
Am I sounding like a broken record, yet?
*Saw a demo of this technology during a college class trip. Was trying to get with the digital swing of things and find a job in new media, but dropped out after the third class.
However, to avoid any assumptions about my position, here are some thoughts on the whole privacy thing, and about former Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski's sudden departure from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in 2003.
Most people have no idea how badly both privacy and civil rights in Canada are eroding. Authorities can access, store, and data mine all your personal information - be it telephone conversations, faxes, emails, personal contacts, memberships, data files, digital photos, card purchases, finances, travels, medical records, and so forth - not only now and in the future, but from years ago. For example, every message you ever sent to a dating site or chatline can be tracked and recorded - forever.
If someone watched your surfing habits for just a day, right down to the sentence you looked at, or what you type, they could learn a lot about you. By monitoring your email network, they'd have an inside view of social clusters and communities. Don't think it's possible? Besides global surveillance technology, some company marketing tests use computer screens and equipment to track where you look, for how long, your stress response, etc.*
Regrettably, the laws that safeguard our privacy are being set aside in the name of corporate development (monopolies?) and national security. So far, the only people who seem to recognize this fact are mostly folks in the electronic communications field (eg, digital media, wireless, internet) - and of these, only a minority are concerned about what the future holds. (Sorry, no survey polls here. I say this based on my own encounters and conversations with people.)
About former Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski, I believe he was committed in his job role of ensuring privacy protection for citizens/consumers in Canada. Here's one example of his efforts: 'Privacy Commissioner Launches Charter Challenge' (June 21, 2002).
They could easily create 'dirt' about him by reporting financial mismanagement. Or maybe, being a journalist, he's more word-focused, than number-inclined. But even if the allegations are true, which would be disappointing, at least he wasn't a puppet or 'yes-man'. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I'm more interested in why he was squeezed out.
This Maclean's article on Auditor General Sheila Fraser's recommended changes also has me concerned: 'overly restrictive privacy laws' is mentioned first.
Yes, perhaps revamping Canada's privacy laws would be helpful, if people understood the importance of privacy rights and proper regulation, and if a citizens' taskforce were already in place. Also, while many organizations may have privacy policies, this doesn't guarantee security or confidentiality. Any private investigator can probably confirm this.
See CBC News article: Wiretap laws need overhaul, police chiefs say' (August 23, 2004)
This isn't simply about privacy: it's about the control of EVERYTHING. This can and does affect freedom and autonomy. By studying a person, organization, or community in-depth, it's easy to falsely characterize or control them. Things may be done to people, or they can be manipulated in a multitude of different ways. I've been observing this for several years now.
(Yes, I know, I myself am an increasingly manipulative (read, desperate) person, but look at how successful I am: I have few, if any friends; most people don't believe what I say; I think many former acquaintances have been converted by the government; and beyond this blog, I have no social or political influence, whatsoever. If I'm considered a smooth politician, boy, watch out.)
See George Radwanski's 'Privacy, Autonomy, and the Limits of Technology' (Privacy Lecture Series; March 26, 2001).
For more of my rambling thoughts about privacy in Canada, see: 'Showtime!' and U.S. Patriot Act post, or enter 'privacy' in the search box above (left corner).
Am I sounding like a broken record, yet?
*Saw a demo of this technology during a college class trip. Was trying to get with the digital swing of things and find a job in new media, but dropped out after the third class.
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