Close X
Saturday, December 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Privacy Commissioner To Investigate Alleged RCMP Use Of Surveillance Device

Darpan News Desk, 14 Apr, 2016 12:51 PM
    OTTAWA — Canada's privacy commissioner has launched an investigation over concerns the RCMP might be using a controversial mass-surveillance device to spy on Canadians.
     
    Commission spokeswoman Tobi Cohen has confirmed the federal agency is looking into the Mounties' refusal to disclose whether the agency uses International Mobile Subscriber Identity catchers, commonly referred to as Stingray devices.
     
    The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed last month by the advocacy group OpenMedia.
     
    The technology mimics cell phone towers to covertly intercept text and audio communication, as well as extract internal data and pinpoint a phone's location.
     
    Stingray also works indiscriminately, collecting information from any phone within range, whether it belongs to a suspected criminal or an everyday citizen.
     
    Last month, a legal advocacy group in British Columbia appealed to the provincial privacy commissioner after Vancouver police refused to hand over documents revealing whether the department use the technology.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Another Shooting In Surrey: 'Get The Hell Out Of My City,’ Says Furious Linda Hepner

    Another Shooting In Surrey: 'Get The Hell Out Of My City,’ Says Furious Linda Hepner
    RCMP was called to a home in the 7700-block of 155th Street around 11 p.m. to find an injured minor who suffered bullet wounds.

    Another Shooting In Surrey: 'Get The Hell Out Of My City,’ Says Furious Linda Hepner

    Mayor and Council Approve New Rental Housing in Punjabi Market

    Six-storey mixed use building at Main and 49th Avenue includes 75 new rental homes

    Mayor and Council Approve New Rental Housing in Punjabi Market

    Surrey Youth Soccer Coach Kuldip Mahal Sentenced To 7 Years For Seeking Sex With 12-Year-Old Girl

    Surrey Youth Soccer Coach Kuldip Mahal Sentenced To 7 Years For Seeking Sex With 12-Year-Old Girl
    He pleaded guilty in Seattle earlier this year to sex crimes after being caught in a police sting

    Surrey Youth Soccer Coach Kuldip Mahal Sentenced To 7 Years For Seeking Sex With 12-Year-Old Girl

    Abbotsford Police Warn Public Of Craigslist Phone Theft Scam

    Abbotsford Police Department is warning the public after reports of three separate incidents involving an iPhone for sale on Craigslist.

    Abbotsford Police Warn Public Of Craigslist Phone Theft Scam

    Turbulent Battle As Golden, B.C., Fights To Save Local River Rafting Industry

    Turbulent Battle As Golden, B.C., Fights To Save Local River Rafting Industry
    Tourism officials in the southeastern B.C., town of Golden say letters of support are flooding in as they fight for access to the Kicking Horse River.

    Turbulent Battle As Golden, B.C., Fights To Save Local River Rafting Industry

    Vancouver And Toronto Markets Charge Ahead Despite Mortgage Rule Changes

    Vancouver And Toronto Markets Charge Ahead Despite Mortgage Rule Changes
    Moves by Ottawa to tighten mortgage lending rules did little to cool the country's two hottest real estate markets as home sales in Toronto and Vancouver continued to charge ahead last month.

    Vancouver And Toronto Markets Charge Ahead Despite Mortgage Rule Changes