The NY Times reports that Canada played a notable role in assisting the NSA to weaken encryption standards. The Times reports: internal memos leaked by a former N.S.A. contractor, Edward Snowden, suggest that the N.S.A. generated one of the random number generators used in a 2006 N.I.S.T. standard – called […]
Post Tagged with: "encryption"
Setting the Record Straight: 32 Questions and Answers on C-32’s Digital Lock Provisions, Part Two
Yesterday's post on the 32 Questions and Answers on Bill C-32's digital lock provisions focused on general issues in the bill, including compliance with WIPO, the penalty provisions, and their constitutional validity. Today's post discusses the shortcomings in the anti-circumvention exceptions that are included in C-32. With the exception of a new exception for cellphone unlocking, the exceptions are the same as those found in C-61 and a virtual mirror of the U.S. DMCA. For those that want it all in a single package, I've posted the full series as PDF download.
C-32's Circumvention Exceptions
This section features answers to the following questions:
- Bill C-32 contains circumvention exceptions for encryption research and security testing. Doesn't that address the research concerns?
- Bill C-32 contains a circumvention exception for privacy. Doesn't that address the privacy concerns?
- Bill C-32 contains a circumvention exception for the visually impaired. Doesn't that address those access concerns?
- Bill C-32 contains a circumvention exception for interoperability. Doesn't that address those concerns?
DFAIT Launches Consultation on Encryption Controls
The Department of Foreign Affairs has launched a public consultation on encryption controls. Comments are due by April 30, 2010.
61 Reforms to C-61, Day 25: TPMs – Research Exception Limited to Encryption and Security Testing
Bill C-61 includes two exceptions relevant for researchers: an exception at Section 41.13 limited to encryption research (unlike the U.S. DMCA, encryption research is not defined) and security testing at Section 41.15, which could be construed to include security research on computer or network vulnerabilities. The impact of the anti-circumvention […]
ComputerWorld Canada on Copyright Reform
ITWorld Canada features an editorial warning the technical community of the dangers of copyright reform, arguing that "a piece of legislation that views TPM circumvention in black and white will only harm Canadian industries and consumers, effectively trumping their fair use rights in the process. And fair dealing should be […]
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