NDP promises review of IoT privacy issues

In full election platforms released last week, the NDP is promising to implement changes to Canadian privacy law and look into Internet of Things (IoT) privacy, the Conservatives are pledging funding for rural broadband and cyber-security, and the Liberals say they would improve access to online government services. The NDP said in its platform, released Friday, that if it wins the Oct. 19 federal election, it will put together an all-party committee to look at privacy issues relating to IoT. It promised to consult with “business, IT experts and concerned citizens on how to protect privacy and ensure informed consent as more and more everyday objects — from thermostats to cars to bio-chips in animals — are connected to the Internet and are collecting and sharing data about our daily lives.” The party also promised to implement Bill C-475, which would make reporting of data breaches mandatory in cases where individuals could “face personal risk,” and to boost the enforcement powers of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. That bill, aimed at reforming the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), was defeated in Parliament last year. The NDP platform also promised to end “the practice of bulk collection of data as part of cyber surveillance by Canadian agencies,” and to reinstate “the requirement for a warrant before ISPs release data, except in emergency situations.” Currently, PIPEDA gives law enforcement and other agencies the power to obtain subscriber information without a warrant, though a Supreme Court decision last year found that a warrant is required to obtain customers’ personal information. The NDP platform also repeated previous promises to restore funding to CBC/Radio-Canada cut by the Conservatives, and increase the independence of its board of directors. The party also pledged to “close the digital divide and expand rural broadband access across the country” and look “to support the development of the next generation of high-speed Internet to support our high tech sector.” It also said it would continue “to be committed to net neutrality.” It outlined spending of $10 million on work to close the digital divide in 2016-1017, followed by $30 million each year until 2020. The NDP also said it would pass a Consumer Protection Act, which, among other measures, would include directing “the CRTC to crack down on excessive cell phone roaming charges.” It also outlined that it would increase support to the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board by $4 million in 2016-2017, $7 million in 2017-2018, $21 million in 2018-19 and $28 million in 2019-2020. The Conservative party also released its full platform Friday, promising to bring “high-speed” Internet to 98 per cent of Canadian households by 2017. Industry Canada has previously specified its goal is to bring 5 Mbps service to 98 per cent of Canada in that time. The Conservative government set aside $305 million for that initiative in the 2014 budget, which it said would involve connecting 280,000 rural and northern households, and has since said the number of households will be as high as 356,000 at 40 per cent under budget. “A re-elected Conservative Government will build on our record of expanding rural internet access by funding high-capacity backbone — such as fibre optic cable networks or satellite — in hundreds of communities across the country, allowing people and businesses in northern and rural communities to access the internet at speeds currently enjoyed by Canadians in larger urban centres,” the platform promises. Its costing plan doesn’t include any spending on rural broadband next year, though it does promise $20 million in 2017-2018, $30 million in 2018-2019 and $50 million in 2019-2020. The Conservatives would also pass the Protection of Canada’s Vital Cyber Systems Act, which would “require operators of vital cyber systems to implement robust cybersecurity plans that meet established standards, and to report cybersecurity breaches to the federal government.” In the most recent federal budget, the government promised to spend $36.4 million over five years on “protecting vital cyber systems,” though it gave few details about that legislation. The election platform also promised to continue “to take action to create greater consumer choice in the wireless sector.” The Tories also promised to expand “support for Canada’s satellite telecommunications sector through its partnership with the European Space Agency,” while also saying they would amend the Privacy Act and PIPPEDA in order to “put strict conditions on the collection, use and disclosure of genetic information.” The Liberals released their platform earlier last week. It repeats earlier promises to reverse the 2012 cuts to CBC funding by giving the broadcaster an additional $75 million in 2016-2017 and $150 million each year after that until 2020. It also said the Liberals would increase the independence of the public broadcaster’s board, and increase funding to the National Film Board and the Canada Council for the Arts. The Liberal document adds that it would work with the privacy commissioner to make it easier to access government services online. The party also says it would limit the “Communications Security Establishment’s powers by requiring a warrant to engage in the surveillance of Canadians.” Last week, Internet advocacy group Open Media gave the NDP’s digital policies an overall grade of A-, based on previous statements and positions, such as its opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Liberals received a C and the Conservatives a D+. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said the Liberals promised an additional $75-$150 million a year in addition to bringing back the funding cut by the Conservatives. — With reporting by Anja Karadeglija at akarad@thewirereport.ca and editing by Derek Abma at dabma@thewirereport.ca

NDP promises review of IoT privacy issues

Broadcast | October 13, 2015

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NDP promises review of IoT privacy issues

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