In February 2012, the Canadian government introduced “lawful access” legislation that granted new powers to law enforcement to access private communications and require telecommunications providers to install new surveillance capabilities. The bill generated a massive public backlash as Canadians loudly rejected the bill and pressured the government to reconsider its surveillance plans. Michael Geist played a key role in critiquing the bill and raising public awareness about its implications. His talk will assess the challenge of developing surveillance policies that balance the needs for effective security and appropriate privacy in an age when online communications are an integral part of our daily lives.
