The CBC is reporting that the Conservative government has quietly killed the CAIRS database, an invaluable source of information that listed virtually all ATIP requests. The database was an essential research tool for more open government and the decision will have an exceptionally damaging effect on government accountability and transparency.
Articles by: Michael Geist
IP Caucus Rolls Out Welcome Mat for the U.S.
Sources indicate that the Parliamentary IP Caucus, co-chaired by Liberal MP Dan McTeague and Conservative Gord Brown, plan to roll out the welcome mat for the U.S. next Wednesday. The meeting includes a presentation from four representatives from the U.S. Embassy along with a pair of speakers from the Entertainment […]
DFAIT’s Consultation on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
The DFAIT consultation period on the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement has now closed. David Fewer and CIPPIC produced an exceptionally good submission. My more modest effort is posted below:
New CIRA Whois Policy Strikes Balance Between Privacy and Access
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) focuses this week on the new CIRA whois policy that is scheduled to take effect on June 10, 2008. The whois issue has attracted little public attention, yet it has been the subject of heated debate within the domain name community for many years. It revolves around the whois database, a publicly accessible, searchable list of domain name registrant information (as in "who is" the registrant of a particular domain name).
The Perils of 911 With VoIP
The CBC reports on the death of a child in Calgary demonstrates some of the challenges of emergency service with VoIP.
Recent Posts
Why Bill C-2 Faces a Likely Constitutional Challenge By Placing Solicitor-Client Privilege at Risk 
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 237: A Conversation with Jason Woywada of BCFIPA on Political Party Privacy and Bill C-4 
Lawful Access on Steroids: Why Bill C-2’s Big Brother Tactics Combine Expansive Warrantless Disclosure with Unprecedented Secrecy 
Government Reverses on Privacy and the Charter: Department of Justice Analysis Concludes Political Party Privacy Bill Raises No Charter of Rights Effects 
“Big Brother Tactics”: Why Bill C-2’s New Warrantless Disclosure Demand Powers Extend Far Beyond Internet and Telecom Providers
