Appeared in the Toronto Star on January 11, 2014 as Internet Providers Push for Two-Tier Internet Based on Data Caps Net neutrality has been one of the defining Internet policy issues of the past decade. Starting with early concerns that large telecom and Internet providers would seek to generate increased […]
Post Tagged with: "bell"
Senate Heading Toward Investigation Into Bell’s Privacy Practices
Conservative Senator Leo Housakos this week raised the possibility of a hearing into Bell’s privacy practices in light of recent disclosures involving collection and use of data for targeted advertising purposes. Housakos gave notice of a motion for a hearing by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications involving […]
Bell Faces CRTC Net Neutrality Complaint
Bell Mobility is facing a net neutrality complaint arising from its treatment of online video. Filed by Ben Klass, the complaint (a Part 1 application requesting fair treatment of Internet services by Bell Mobility) compares the cost of watching 5 GB of content on Netflix with the cost of 5 […]
Federal Court Orders Bell to Pay $20,000 in Damages Over Privacy Violation
The Federal Court of Canada has ordered Bell TV to pay $20,000 in damages (plus an additional $1,000 in legal fees) for violating the privacy rights of a Nova Scotia satellite tv customer. The case arose when Bell TV surreptitiously obtained permission to run a credit check by including it […]
Is Bell’s Plan to Monitor and Profile Canadians Legal?
Last week, Bell announced plans to implement new consumer monitoring and profiling practices that would greatly expand how it uses the information it collects on millions of subscribers. The planned scope of Bell’s profiling is unprecedented in Canada, reflecting the power of a vertically-integrated media giant to effortlessly track their customers’ location, media habits, search activity, website interests, and application usage.
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes the Bell plan generated a significant public backlash with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada launching an immediate investigation. Yet the company steadfastly defended its plans, saying that users are supportive of the new policy and maintaining that it is fully compliant with Canadian law.