Federal government looking for Internet providers to hand over citizens’ text messages, e-mails and web history
The Federal Government has introduced legislation that gives police greater investigative powers into the Internet and telecommunications environment. Under the new law, Internet service providers would be forced to give police “lawful access” to Canadians’ digital information, including text messages, e-mails, web surfing history and Internet phone lines. Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan has said that the bill looks to modernize surveillance laws. Police say they have lobbied for this law to fight “Internet safe havens” that house gangsters, sexual predators and terrorists. The bill is expected to be tabled before MPs break for summer.