Big Brother is Watching You

It’s more than just a bit unsettling to learn about the efforts being made by government to pass the likes of Bill C-11 and Bill C-51. After reading Dwayne Winseck‘s article (Un)Lawful Access: Wiring Canada’s Networks for Control and watching the video (Un)Lawful Access, I had flashbacks to Orwell’s 1984 in high school. As discussed in today’s class, the notion of the government, or any public agency (ie. police), having access to personal information at any time, watching your every digital move without a warrant, and without your awareness, is un-Canadian to me.

If Bill C-51 were to pass, it would be tantamount to saying that it would be legal for the government to blast through your front door at any hour of the day or night without  permission, nor communication, nor a warrant, to dig up information on your life’s transactions.

The conspiracy theorist in me has to think the Canadian government is being strong-armed into forming legislation that will look good to other governments as the level of inter-state cooperation in security increases globally. If this legislation were to pass (which it may not if enough people sign the petition), I for one would be dealing in cash a lot more often!