Child pornography has become a huge problem in Canada. Pedophiles are using powerful tools in social media and other online programs to illegally share child pornography. They are taking advantage of privacy to make investigations difficult or impossible.
To the question " where do you stand on the new online surveillance bill?", I would say, I am with the Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.I know there is many controversial opinions on this, twitters users are not happy with the bill...but, please! if you really care about protecting children, there's nothing to worry about this bill. This is NOT a Conservative Bill, it is a responsible way of finding a solution to child pornograpy.
I think we all agree protecting children is important, but the problems with this bill are in the power it gives the government beyond that. Specifically, Section 34 is potentially damaging to our free speech.
ReplyDelete(1) An inspector may, for a purpose related to verifying compliance with this Act, enter any place owned by, or under the control of, any telecommunications service provider in which the inspector has reasonable grounds to believe there is any document, information, transmission apparatus, telecommunications facility or any other thing to which this Act applies
Powers on entry
(2) The inspector may, for that purpose,
(a) examine any document, information or thing found in the place and open or cause to be opened any container or other thing;
http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=5380965&File=77#16
Essentially, the minister can appoint any person or group the power to inspect internet providers. These inspectors can then search/take ALL information found in any internet service provider suspected of having just one person with child pornography, all without a warrant.
I believe few people disagree with the sentiment of this bill. However, the sweeping power it gives could be used for other, less noble causes. The government is already looking into the bill
(http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120219/ctv-question-period-toews-twitter-c-30-fallout-120219/20120219/?hub=EdmontonHome)
I believe the bill can be tweaked to give police enhanced powers for stopping child related crimes, while still protecting our free speech.
I understand you, Matt but we need this kind of law.How would the Police conduct their investigations without controling the internet? Unfortunantelly, the predators use social media to offend. Many people desagree with the Bill, but what alternatives do they give? .Why do people think they are Police's target? I was reading the copy of that Bill yesterday,and I found nothing bad with it. The only thing that could be discussed is the Bill's implementation.
ReplyDeleteBut people have to keep in mind that Conservatives have the majority of the seats in parliament.When will come the time to vote, this Bill will pass and I won't be desappointed.
The police should conduct investigations the same way they do in any other part of our legal system - by obtaining a warrant before invading people's privacy. The internet is not an exception to this.
ReplyDeleteIt's also unfortunate the bill has been given this anti-predator label, which I feel is a political ploy to gain support. How will it specifically make children safer? Will they monitor every computer in Canada, all the time? The predators will not simply be instantly visible to police once C-30 is passed.
I agree with Matt when he said that this bill has been given an anti-predator label. It seems the government is presenting this bill as merely a means to protect children from online predators in order to gain support for the bill and to make those who oppose it look as if though they have something to hide.
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