Canada to increase Internet surveillance.

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: UP FRONT: News, Trends & Analysis

The Canadian government has proposed dramatic new Internet surveillance powers and has been criticized for the initiative.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler recently announced the federal government's aggressive plans to establish new Internet-related law enforcement powers in an attempt to increase Canadians' security. But the proposals--called the "lawful access" initiative-are being called "awful access" by critics who believe they will seriously erode citizens' rights and privacy.

Canadian law enforcement first raised the prospect of establishing new powers to combat terror activities online in 2002. Earlier this year, the government announced it would move ahead with plans to enact the initiative.

If enacted, lawful access would compel Internet service providers (ISPs) to install new interception capabilities as they upgrade their networks. Canada's major ISPs will eventually be capable of intercepting data, isolating specific subscribers, and removing any encryption or other changes that they make to data transmissions.

The proposal will likely contain an exemption for smaller ISPs, but all will be required to report on their readiness to conduct interceptions six months after the law takes effect. Failure to comply with the new standards would carry stiff penalties--fines of up to $500,000 and potential imprisonment for five years.

Lawful access would also provide law enforcement authorities with a wide range of new powers...