Prime Minister Mark Carney is constructing an online surveillance state, according to a National Post editorial. The piece argues that the government's proposed legislation, Bills C-22 and C-34, would effectively outlaw online anonymity, require internet user identification, and create a tribunal for offensive speech online.
Bill C-22: Data Retention and Encryption
Bill C-22, which passed the House of Commons on Thursday, originally allowed the government to build a back door into every Canadian's personal data, breaking encryption and effectively banning VPNs. It also forced online service providers to retain user data for one year. The bill was amended to narrow these provisions: providers cannot be forced to store browsing data, social media activity, or content substance, and data retention orders are limited to six months. Additionally, providers do not have to comply with orders to break encryption if doing so introduces a systemic vulnerability.
However, the definition of systemic vulnerability is narrow and unclear, creating potential security risks. Google and Meta have expressed concerns that more work is needed to address security issues.
Warrantless Searches and Secret Orders
The bill allows the public safety minister to issue secret orders compelling online service providers to reveal personal data to the government, with a gag order preventing notification of the target. This system is prone to abuse, especially combined with the proposed online censorship law, Bill C-34.
Bill C-34: Age Verification and Censorship
Bill C-34 proposes that most websites with social components or AI chatbots require a verification mechanism, ostensibly to protect children. This would collect more user information and could enable tracking of online behavior. Although age-verification data is supposed to be destroyed after use, it could still be compromised by insecure services, as demonstrated by a recent hack of the European Union's age verification app.
The editorial concludes that these measures represent a dangerous expansion of government surveillance, threatening privacy and free expression.
