The last couple of weeks, Canadians have become increasingly concerned about the Federal Government’s proposed Internet Protection Bill (C-30).
The legislation seemed to open the possibility that law enforcement (and others) would be able to snoop on our online activities at will, raising the police-state spectre of invaded privacy and warrantless searches.
Then on Friday, in an attempt to get control of the “Robocalls” election fraud scandal, Elections Canada reached out to the CRTC for assistance.
Why?
Because among the CRTC’s powers are those of warrantless search and seizure:
As a Globe and Mail news item detailed:
“The communications regulator can investigate unsolicited calling activity without court orders. CRTC investigators can enter a company’s premises through the agency’s power of inspection without asking a judge’s permission. They also have the power to demand the production of information, including telephone records, without a warrant.”
Did you know the CRTC had that kind of power?
Does it confuse you that they’ve never opted to use it in all those recent instances where consumers complained of being maltreated by ISPs, broadcasters, cable companies and mobile services?
Were all those hearings we sat through just for show – to imply our concerns had been investigated and found unsubstantiated?
How come “Anonymous” spent its time threatening to destroy the Federal Minister sponsoring Bill C-30, when there was already a government agency – the one already policing Anonymous’ prime territory – with the powers they were campaigning against?
Maybe “Anonymous” isn’t as all knowing and all seeing as they’d like us to believe.
Maybe none of us really know what those who would invade our privacy and our lives could do if they wanted to.
Make that – already can do.
View the following and either become afraid –- very afraid, or figure out what we need to do to keep those who have no business intruding on your affairs from messing with us any way they want.
And then… Enjoy Your Sunday.