Canada: Police to see web hits under new spying law

Jason Magder

The Conservative government plans to introduce this week a law that would allow police to better monitor web-surfing habits of Canadians and to track them with electronic surveillance.

The law would require Internet service providers (ISPs) to install equipment that would allow them to monitor and preserve the Internet surfing activities of their customers. The providers could be asked by police to collect and preserve surfing data of anyone suspected in engaging in criminal activity.

Known as the Lawful Access law, Bill C-51 also would make it easier for law enforcement authorities to activate tracking mechanisms within cellphones to monitor the whereabouts of suspected criminals.

If they’re suspected of being international terrorists, the law would allow such tracking for a year, rather than the current 60-day limit, according to a previous incarnation of the law introduced last year. (more on winnipegfreepress.com)