BC Privacy Commissioner Warns of USA PATRIOT Act and Other Anti-Terror Laws

30/10/2004

In an eagerly awaited report, the Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia warns there is a “reasonable possibility” of unauthorized disclosure of British Columbians’ personal information under the USA Patriot Act, “rigorous other measures must be put into place to mitigate against illegal and surreptitious access."

Concerned regarding the implications of U.S. law on the privacy protections in Canada, Commissioner Loukedelis' report notes that the situation is not only of worry below the border. Based on advice given by Privacy International, the Commissioner contends that

"Privacy risks don’t come only from the US. Canada’s laws contain powers similar to those in the USA Patriot Act. When government enacts strong national security measures, it needs to make sure that human rights—including privacy rights—continue to be protected. In Canada, we have to be sure that national security powers are not used for ordinary law enforcement purposes. We have to watch for blurring of the lines between national security and ordinary law enforcement powers."

As a result, again on the advice of Privacy International, Commissioner Loukedelis calls for particular scrutiny of Canada's anti-terrorism law.

"This is why the upcoming Parliamentary review of the Anti-terrorism Act must ensure that the law properly balances public safety with privacy rights."

The report is available on the Office of the Information and Privacy Commission's website.

Related:
PI Warns that Foreign Police and Security Services can travel UK personal data