Monthly Archives: March 2009
Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner, and DRM
In the interview, the Commissioner discusses the use of self-encrypting/decrypting security systems that are meant to meet her ‘PET Plus’ program; she wants to ensure that measures are embedded in surveillance technologies that secure individuals’ privacy while at the same time enabling police to perform their duties. … What I don’t think that the Commission is suggesting is that private security groups will be required to adopt her measures – as I understand it, that would be the ideal situation, but presently she wants to address public cameras. … Maybe what makes me feel most uneasy about all of this is the way that the discussion is being framed – I don’t think that associating the Commissioner’s proposals with DRM is necessarily the right tactic, and worry that in casting it as such a resentement develops towards a technology that is meant to address many of the privacy-associated concerns with CCTV. Continue reading
Update: More on Quebec EDLs
* Says he: “If there are five people, five kids and two parents, if they had to all pay for a passport it would be an expensive requirements for them to come here” ( Source ) Not withstanding Charest’s poor math (I count seven people in his ‘equation’), the costs that he is referencing are for the people coming to Quebec, not the costs of Quebecer’s traveling to the US. … We believe we need to do what has to be done to protect the privacy of individuals” ( Source ) In light of this, one has to ask: if the Quebec premier recognizes privacy as such a serious issue, then why isn’t the Quebec information commissioner’s privacy assessment available to the public? … March 24, 2009 from 9:00 to 12:00 Ottawa Library Auditorium, 120 Metcalfe Street The aim of this public forum is to increase the awareness of policy makers, Parliamentarians, the media, and the public regarding the concerns associated with the introduction of a new Enhanced Driver’s Licence in most Canadian provinces. Continue reading
Update: EDLs in Saskatchewan and Quebec
It seems as though the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is supporting this hesitancy, with the assistant privacy commissioner; . . . is applauding the province’s decision to back away from the enhanced licences until legislation addresses concerns about how personal information is used and how vulnerable it is to hackers. … ( Source ) It will be interesting to see whether or not Saskatchewan reintroduces EDL legislation after Ontario’s information and privacy commissioner manages to implement an ‘on/off’ switch that she has been talking about with Jesse Brown for the past few weeks . My suspicion is that they will, but that they will let Ontario do the heavy lifting in this area (I expect that Ontario’s influence with DHS will be more substantial than Saskatchewan, but maybe that isn’t/won’t be the case). Continue reading
Demonstration: Why Mashups are Awesome
That’s because Girl Talk is awesome, and is one of the most prominent mashup artists. Let’s say that you’re not into the particular sounds GT is producing (which isn’t unreasonable) – if that’s the case, and that’s why you think mashup ‘sucks’, hit the video below to see what harsh music copyright laws will outlaw. The creativity is manifest in the video is clearly original, possessing focus, and is simply awesome.
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