Surveillance
Governor General Mary Simon, who serves as Canada’s official non-partisan head of state and representative of King Charles III, has taken heat for hosting a conference supporting a new federal government bill that could lead to large fines or jail time for vaguely defined online “hate speech” infractions.
On April 11, Simon hosted an event titled “The Governor General’s Symposium: Building a Safe and Respectful Digital World” at her Rideau Hall residence, with the goal to “bring together individuals who experience online violence and experts from across the country to share their experiences, explore solutions, and create allyship and networks of resilience.”
…
Read MoreThis year, over half the world’s population will head to the ballot box. At a time when, in many nations, democracy is already under acute pressure, ensuring these elections are free and fair is of paramount importance.
In the context of this political instability, deepfakes have entered the stage – and this year they are poised to play a larger role than ever before.
Governments, either through a lack of ability or will, have failed to sufficiently defend democracy against deepfakes. However, where the public sector fails, there’s an opportunity for the private to step in – both to safeguard democracy and reap financial rewards in the process.
…
Read MoreLeaked documents suggest EU officials seek immunity from their own controversial online surveillance laws, raising accusations of hypocrisy.
Do as I say – not as I do. That’s the essence of a leak that claims to expose high-ranked EU officials as more than simply politicking hypocrites when it comes to implementing the extremely controversial legislation affecting online privacy and encryption.
Namely, interior ministers from EU member countries reportedly want to exempt themselves – but not only – from the looming Child Sexual Abuse (CSAM) Regulation (aka, “chat control“), expected to be adopted as early as in June.
Pushed by supporters as being exactly what it says on the tin – the proposed new rules are at the same time criticized as a vehicle for indiscriminate mass surveillance of everyone’s online communications, and a way to weaken true encryption deployed by platforms – a vital component of internet security, once again, affecting everyone who goes online, children included.
…
Read MoreCanada’s spy chief David Vigneault testified under oath he repeatedly warned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and political aides that Chinese agents were targeting Conservative MPs. Vigneault’s testimony contradicted the Prime Minister.
“It is indeed something I communicated,” Vigneault, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, testified at the Commission on Foreign Interference. Vigneault authenticated memos he used at private meetings with Trudeau and staff concerning Chinese subterfuge.
…
Read MoreA publicly accessible registry to name names of lobbyists acting for China “would be valuable,” says an RCMP briefing note. A federal review of a foreign agents’ registry has been underway for more than a year.
“A foreign agent registry would be valuable for Canadians as a registrable activity would ensure foreign actors undertaking certain activities are operating in the interests of the Canadian public,” said a 2023 RCMP note Ministerial Briefing.
…
Read MoreFentanyl Fear Factor: White House Leverages Drug Scare to Push for Controversial Surveillance Powers
In the face of escalating opioid threats, the Biden administration tries to justify Section 702, pressing for urgent reauthorization.
In a recent public appeal, the Biden administration has urged the reauthorization Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) before it expires on April 19. Bill Burns, the CIA Director, issued a statement, alleging the significant role of the FISA powers in fighting threats against national security, especially the illicit trafficking of fentanyl into the United States.
Burns highlighted the gravity of the fentanyl threat, saying, “The threat to the US posed by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids is real. Section 702 is an essential tool in CIA’s mission to protect the American people from a range of threats, including illicit fentanyl trafficking. Without this vital program, CIA simply would not be able to defend our country as effectively in as many dangerous corners of the world.”
…
Read MoreThe House voted to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) two days after a band of 19 conservative privacy “hawks” revolted against Republican leadership and blocked the legislation on the floor when their demands for warrants were not met. The conservative rebels ended their blockade and allowed the FISA bill to move forward after striking a deal with Republican Speaker Mike Johnson who was criticized for casting the “tiebreaker” vote. Under the agreement, the reauthorization period of the spy powers — known as Section 702 of FISA — would be cut to two years from the original proposed five years.
FISA was used by the Obama regime to spy on Trump, who said this week that he wanted to “kill” FISA. Republicans said that the 2-year re-authorization would give Trump a chance to make his mark on the law if he wins back the White House.
…
Read More“Let’s stop the third atomic bomb with our hands, in the hands of the Japanese people!” April 13, 2024, will be etched in the annals of modern Japanese history as tens of thousands of citizens across the nation came together in a series of pandemic rallies. The protests centered on the widespread opposition to the Pandemic Treaty, with escalating concerns over “infectious disease” and “public health” becoming potent tools for an unprecedented push towards what is perceived by many as a totalitarian surveillance society.
Massive Rallies Break Out in Japan Against WHO’s Pandemic Treaty. – ‘Don’t Underestimate the Japanese’
From the bustling streets of Ikebukuro to the gatherings at Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park, the sheer scale of participation speaks volumes. Organizers aimed for a monumental turnout of 100,000 protesters to demand answers on crucial issues, such as the stark increase in excess deaths and the lack of transparency on the adverse effects following vaccinations.
The protest not just opposed potential mandatory vaccinations but also the perceived overreach of health authorities and their ties with global pharma, echoing a distressing sentiment of disenfranchisement among the populace. Demonstrators criticized the lack of explanations for a sharp increase in excess deaths and demanded accountability and clarity on vaccine-related casualties.
…
Read MorePassed and given Royal Assent on April 5, Nova Scotia’s Bill 419 will allow the Premier Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservative provincial government access to the private medical information of their citizens, despite warnings from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia that it would undermine doctor-patient relationships.
“This new law will require all physicians to enable access to their medical records for the minister,” Dr. Gus Grant, CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, warned during a March 25 legislative meeting.
“For physicians, this creates a new professional legal duty,” he added. “And for patients, it means the entirety of their medical records will be accessible to government.”
“I see it as the responsibility of the college to speak on behalf of the public, which I would expect is largely unaware of this seemingly innocuous amendment and its potential consequences,” he added.
…
Read More