Feds scrap traveller eavesdropping program at Ottawa airport

The federal government has scrapped a plan to eavesdrop on travellers’ conversations at the Ottawa international airport pending further study after news of the program drew criticism from privacy watchdogs.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) installed microphones at the Macdonald-Cartier Airport to further screen travellers in a plan Public Safety Minister Vic Toews defended Monday as a way to prevent smuggling. Toews assured critics Canadians’ privacy would be respected. No conversations had been recorded, according to reports.

On Tuesday, a representative for Toews’ office confirmed the audio monitoring plan has been halted until the federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has time to review the details.

“We have heard concerns from Canadians regarding the privacy impact of this practice … Minister Toews has directed the CBSA to halt audio monitoring until a Privacy Impact Assessment can be submitted, and recommendations from the Privacy Commissioner can be reviewed by the Government,” Julie Carmichael said in a statement.

“It is important for agencies tasked with protecting Canadians to have the right tools to catch smugglers and keep criminals and other unwelcome individuals out of Canada. It is equally important that these tools do not infringe on individuals’ privacy in a way that is unjustified or unnecessary to ensure security.”

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada applauded the move and representative Scott Hutchinson told CityNews.ca officials there look forward to reviewing the privacy impact assessment — a required document that hasn’t yet been received.

“We’re happy this decision was taken,” he said.

Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian told the Toronto Star she was “appalled” by the plan to listen in on travellers’ conversations, especially due to the fact that a federal privacy assessment on the move hadn’t been completed.

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