“While a certain level of secrecy is necessary within intelligence activities, so is accountability within a democracy,” said Interim Privacy Commissioner of Canada Chantal Bernier as she released a special report to Parliament on Tuesday (January 28), International Data Privacy Day.
“Given our mission to protect and promote privacy, and our responsibility to provide advice to Parliament, we are putting forward some recommendations and ideas for Parliamentarians to consider on these important issues.”
The report recommends measures to increase transparency, for instance, that the intelligence gathering agency the Communication Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) make public more detailed, current, statistical information about its operations regarding privacy protection.
The report calls for increased accountability of federal institutions’ use of private information, and the setting up of a parliamentary committee to study Canada’s intelligence activities and oversight.
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated by Parliament to act as an ombudsman and guardian of privacy in Canada.
Last December, the Communications Security Establishment Canada admitted on its website: “we may incidentally intercept Canadian communications or information” but adds CSEC “takes steps to protect the privacy of that information”.
More information:
Privacy Commissioner of Canada press release – Interim Privacy Commissioner provides recommendations to Parliament for the protection of privacy rights in national security efforts – here
Privacy Commissioner of Canada – Special Report to Parliament – Checks and Controls: Reinforcing Privacy Protection and Oversight for the Canadian Intelligence Community in an Era of Cyber-Surveillance – here
RCI – Intelligence agency CSEC admits Canadians’ communications ‘incidentally’ intercepted – here
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