Survey Says… 49% Believe It is Acceptable For Governtments To Spy On Their Online Activity

BY: 

Dave Forde
August 30, 2013

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority recently conducted a survey to help gauge consumers opinions around the area of governments monitoring email and other online activity. This of course is triggered by the must US-citizen Edward Snowden who leaked information about the National Security Agency (NSA) continued monitoring of American’s private information online.

According to the results, half (49 percent) of Canadians believe it is acceptable for the government to monitor email and other online activities of Canadians in some circumstances. When those circumstances include preventing “future terrorist attacks,” the number of Canadians who say online surveillance is acceptable jumps to 77 per cent.
As recently as January of this year, the “Survey of Canadians on Privacy-Related Issues,” from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, found that two thirds of Canadians were concerned with protecting their privacy.Spy vs Spy
CIRA’s survey results are especially disturbing given that that unlike with phone taps or the opening of mail, both of which require a warrant, online surveillance often happens without transparent judicial oversight – and yet appear to be raising relatively little concern.

“Trust is the foundation that supports all transactions – social, financial and at the Domain Name System – on the Internet,” said Byron Holland, President and CEO of CIRA. “When an uninvited third party is introduced into those transactions it erodes that trust. It erodes all that has enabled the Internet to be the greatest driver of positive social and economic change in centuries.”

Canadians’ apparent apathy may be rooted in simple ignorance. CIRA’s survey found that only 18 per cent of Canadians believe Internet activity is confidential. Four in 10 believe the Canadian government is tracking their Internet activity.
But as the Snowden affair has revealed, all Internet activity that have any touch point in the U.S. may be monitored. Considering that Canadian Internet traffic routinely routes through the U.S., this means that individual Canadians can be as much, or even more under the lens of PRISM as any American, without the benefit of any judicial oversight.
“In the 1970s, outrage with unauthorized mail openings and wiretaps without warrants resulted in the MacDonald Commission, and ultimately the creation of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service,” added Holland. “Where has this rage gone? Has our moral compass shifted enough in the decades since that we’re now okay with governments tracking our every move?”
Prominent Canadians were invited to comment on the findings of CIRA’s survey. According to Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, “These are discouraging but important results.  As much of the world is engaged in a fierce debate over surveillance, Canadian complacency is a major issue.”
Geist went on to say, “It speaks to the need for greater public education and awareness of current surveillance activities, oversight programs, and the implications for privacy and freedom of expression for all Canadians.”
Mr. David Fewer, Director of CIPPIC, said, “”The poll demonstrates the complexity that underpins surveillance issues. While clearly a majority of people would accept some loss in privacy if it would prevent terrorist attacks, the mass and indiscriminate monitoring of all Canadians’ online activities is neither necessary for the foiling of terrorist plots, nor a guarantee of safety.”
Speaking about the results of the survey, Cathy Wing, the Co-Executive Director of MediaSmarts said, “That fact that there is so little concern among Canadians about intrusive privacy practices that could impinge democratic freedoms is troubling. It highlights the importance of critical digital literacy skills so all Canadians understand these issues and how to respond as informed citizens.”

 

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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