As the national election campaign launched five weeks ago, I wrote that "the election presents an exceptional opportunity to raise the profile of digital issues." While the economy unsurprisingly dominated much of the political discourse, each of the national parties unveiled platforms and positions that included some discussion of digital policy. With Canadians headed to the polls today, my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, Ottawa Citizen version, homepage version) offers a scorecard on each party's digital policy positions.
Wiertz Sebastien - Privacy by Sebastien Wiertz (CC BY 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/ahk6nh
Privacy
Election 2008 – A Digital Policy Scorecard
Privacy Commissioner of Canada on C-61
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has released a letter she wrote in response in concerns about Bill C-61. Commissioner Stoddart expresses clear concern about the anti-circumvention provisions, noting that: the amendments would allow companies to use digital rights management (DRM) software on media sold to Canadian consumers. These tools have […]
Coming To Grips With An Internet That Never Forgets
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) discusses the implications of an Internet that never forgets. I note that the most significant Internet effect during the current campaign has not been any particular online video, website or Facebook group. Instead, it has been the resignation of eight local candidates based on embarrassing or controversial information unearthed online. Many observers have blamed the revelations on inadequate vetting processes, yet the reality is that these incidents shine the spotlight on an important but rarely discussed aspect of the Internet. Old blog postings, chat room discussions, or difficult-to-explain videos are captured by search engine databases and lie dormant until an intrepid searcher comes across it. In other words, the Internet never forgets.
Canadian Do-Not-Call List Launches Tomorrow
There is considerable media attention today on tomorrow's launch of the National Do-Not-Call List. Starting tomorrow, Canadians will be able to register up to three phone numbers on the DNCL. Organizations will have 31 days to abide by the request. Failure to do so can result in penalties of up […]
Coming to Grips With An Internet That Never Forgets
Appeared in the Toronto Star on September 29, 2008 as Coming to Grips with an Internet That Never Forgets Political parties and analysts have been keeping close watch on the role of the Internet throughout the current election campaign. All parties have beefed up their online presence with countless Facebook […]
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