Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Sep 2

Very important initiative. Digital sovereignty should be central to Carney's agenda

The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · Sep 2

Carney urged by coalition of experts, public figures to bolster digital sovereignty, scrap strong borders bill

Signatories express concern about digital security and the influence of foreign-controlled tech companies on Canadians’ daily lives

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · Sep 1

Using Tor doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how, you just need to download a browser and familiarize yourself with some basics. ssd.eff.org/module/how-...

How to: Use Tor

Computer requirements: An internet connection, a computer running your favorite operating system. Versions used in this guide: Windows 11, macOS 15.2, Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS; Tor Browser: 14.0.4 License: Free Software; mix of Free Software licenses Level: Beginner-Intermediate Time required: 5 minutes Other reading: https://tb-manual.torproject.org/installation/ https://tor.stackexchange.com/ https://www.eff.org/pages/tor-and-https https://www.youtube.com/@TheTorProject/playlists?view=1&sort=dd&shelf_id=0 What is Tor?...

ssd.eff.org

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · Sep 1

Looking to protect your sensitive information from data brokers? Don’t want Big Tech monetizing your personal data? Privacy Badger is here to help! www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...

Online Tracking is Out of Control—Privacy Badger Can Help You Fight

Every time you browse the web, you're being tracked. That’s why EFF created Privacy Badger, a free, open source browser extension used by millions to fight corporate surveillance and take back

www.eff.org

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

John Wunderlich @privacycdn.bsky.social · Aug 12

Liberal Democracies Are Retreating From AI Safety

The G7’s prosperity statement is emblematic of a broader shift in multilateral AI policy discussions.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

OpenMedia @openmedia.org · Aug 12

Does our work for your rights matter?

Don't ask us - ask Centre for Free Expression Director @jameslturk.bsky.social!

👉 Give to our summer drive and power our fight today!

openmedia.org/chip-in-summ...

“OpenMedia plays an invaluable role in Canada as a champion for an affordable, surveillance-free and democratic Internet. No other organization matches OpenMedia's ability to alert and educate Canadians about online issues and then to engage and mobilize them in collaborative campaigns. We rely heavily on OpenMedia's leadership, insight, and information in dealing with the host of challenges posed by digital platforms.”

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Michael Geist @mgeist.bsky.social · Jul 2

I didn’t see it get much/any attention, but the Canadian government has launched a consultation on a potential Canada-EU Digital Trade Agreement. Could cover everything from IP to AI to privacy rules. Submission deadline is August 23rd.
international.canada.ca/en/global-af...

Share your views: Consulting Canadians on a possible Canada-European Union Digital Trade Agreement

international.canada.ca

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · May 29

Another terrific explainer from @mgeist.bsky.social This time on the "new" age verification and website blocking bill introduced in Senate.

Michael Geist @mgeist.bsky.social · May 29

Here We Go Again: Internet Age Verification and Website Blocking Bill Reintroduced in the Senate (With Some Changes)
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/05/here...

Here We Go Again: Internet Age Verification and Website Blocking Bill Reintroduced in the Senate (With Some Changes) - Michael Geist

The last Parliament featured debate over several contentious Internet-related bills, notably streaming and news laws (Bills C-11 and C-18), online harms (Bill C-63) and Internet age verification and w...

www.michaelgeist.ca

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · May 2

Delighted to be speaking at #CPDP2025 on data protection certification.

CPDPconferences @cpdpconferences.bsky.social · May 2

"DPAs and Certification Systems: How Good are They as Compliance Instruments?"

Organised by CPDP with Ivan Szekely (moderator), Charles Raab, @colinjbennett.bsky.social, Marit Hansen, Sébastien Ziegler

More information: cpdp.be/1815

#CPDP.ai #CPDP2025 #TheWorldisWatching #CPDP #DPA #Compliance

"DPAs and Certification Systems: How good are they as compliance instruments?"

In Articles 42 and 43, the GDPR sets out provisions for the formation and use of accredited certification systems so that data controllers and processors can demonstrate their compliance with the law. Such systems, including standardization, can play an important part in the fulfilment of data subjects’ rights and in data protection oversight arrangements. Data protection authorities, as supervisory authorities, and EU institutions play a key part in the establishment and regulation of certification, and the establishment and application of relevant standards are important in these processes. But many questions can be asked, including:

Questions to be answered:
- How have certification schemes developed in the EU?
- What problems and opportunities have been encountered on the way to certification?
- What are the experiences of DPAs, data controllers and certification bodies in the EU and elsewhere with these schemes as part of the regulatory toolkit?
- What are the views of consumer and civil society organizations on such voluntary schemes? To what extent can they contribute to building trust, confidence, transparency and accountability?

Organised by CPDP with Ivan Szekely (moderator), Charles Raab, Colin Bennett, Marit Hansen, Sébastien Ziegler

More information: https://cpdp.be/1815

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC @oipcbc.bsky.social · Apr 24

During a speaking engagement today at the @uvic.ca
Centre for Global Studies, Commissioner Michael Harvey shared his view that taking a rights approach to transparency and privacy helps build trust in political institutions.
@colinjbennett.bsky.social

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Apr 17

BC Information and Privacy Commissioner, Michael Harvey is speaking at UVIC next week on "Taking a Rights Approach to Transparency and Accountability." @oipcbc.bsky.social Details here.
events.uvic.ca/global/event...

CFGS Global Talk - Taking a Rights Approach to Transparency and Accountability

Global Talks are weekly discussions/presentations where we are able to listen to presentations from researchers within CFGS, the university more br...

events.uvic.ca

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Apr 17

Excellent analysis here from @iclmg-csilc.bsky.social

International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG) @iclmg-csilc.bsky.social · Apr 17

Check out our 2025 #NationalSecurity Info Card at iclmg.ca/info-card-20...

It contains analysis of the parties' promises, made so far, and their positions & actions regarding national security since the 2021 election. #Canada #CanadaElection2025 #cdnpoli #cdnpolitics #humanrights

Election 2025: National Security Info Card - International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group

The federal Election 2025 is upon us. The outcome of this election could have a significant impact on the federal government’s approach to national security, anti-terrorism and the protection of civil...

iclmg.ca

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Michael Geist @mgeist.bsky.social · Apr 7

The @lawbytes.bsky.social Podcast, Episode 231: Sara Bannerman on How Canadian Political Parties Maximize Voter Data Collection and Minimize Privacy Safeguards
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/04/law-...

The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 231: Sara Bannerman on How Canadian Political Parties Maximize Voter Data Collection and Minimize Privacy Safeguards - Michael Geist

As the 2025 federal election passes the midway point, it is increasingly apparent that the federal political parties are not only battling for votes, but also for data. Canadians may not see it but po...

www.michaelgeist.ca

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Apr 7

This is important. Although this is supposed to be an "existiential election", microtargeting to key demographics is still live and well!

Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · Apr 6

Canada Conservatives Party woo younger male voters: A significant portion of Conservative Party FB/IG ad impressions came from men aged 25-34, who accounted for 16% of all ad views. Additional impressions came from men 18-24. socialmedialab.ca/2025/04/03/s...

Federal election: Conservatives and Liberals are targeting different generations and geographies online - Social Media Lab

Philip Mai, Toronto Metropolitan University; Anatoliy Gruzd, Toronto Metropolitan University, and William Hollingshead, Toronto Metropolitan University Amid a Canadian federal election campaign focuse...

socialmedialab.ca

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Who Targets Me @whotargets.me · Mar 31

And here's all the party spending on Meta over the last month. trends.whotargets.me/dashboard/co...

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Will Greaves @wgreaves.bsky.social · Apr 4

Last month, Liberals in Victoria @liberalsinvictoria.bsky.social hosted 250 people to discuss "Saving the CBC". The CBC is a cherished source of local and regional news and a champion of Canadian arts and culture. A Carney Liberal government will protect and strengthen the CBC, not defund it.

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The Verge @theverge.com · Apr 4

Trump’s new tariff math looks a lot like an AI chatbot recommendation. So we decided to ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok and Claude. Read more here: bit.ly/4ldxJ77

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Will Greaves @wgreaves.bsky.social · Apr 3

Want to learn more about the Liberal candidate for Victoria (me!)? Now is the right time to elect someone with experience to help Canada face current global challenges: a tariff war with the US, defending Arctic sovereignty, and taking climate action.

www.oakbaynews.com/local-news/v...

Victoria Liberal candidate brings a global approach to the campaign trail

Will Greaves has taught about international relations, Canadian foreign policy and Arctic politics at the University of Victoria

www.oakbaynews.com

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

The Hague Program on International Cyber Security @thehagueprogram.bsky.social · Apr 1

New month, new seminar! This month with none other than @rondeibert.bsky.social on his new book Chasing Shadows: Cyber Espionage, Subversion, and the Global Fight for Democracy!

Join us on Tue 15 April, 16:00 (CET), on Zoom: www.thehagueprogram.nl/events/chasi...

@fggaleiden.bsky.social

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Apr 2

Whotargets.me is doing some terrific work monitoring Meta ad spending in 2025 Canadian election. Is digital campaigning and micro-targeting going to be effective in this "existential election"? We'll see.

Who Targets Me – Making digital political ads more transparent and accountable.

Whotargets.me

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Michael Geist @mgeist.bsky.social · Apr 1

Now isn’t the time for backing down, but notable that the U.S. now cites all of Canada’s core digital policies as foreign trade barriers. 2025 report references digital services tax, online streaming rules, and now the Online News Act. Friction isn’t going away.
ustr.gov/sites/defaul...

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

Reformed Reformer and Part Owner of Canada 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🏳️‍🌈 @reformedreformer.bsky.social · Mar 28

Hey everyone, if you live in Victoria, BC, get out your phone and call his office to volunteer.

We have an uphill battle here folks, and every one of us needs to be up off our asses to contribute!!

Will Greaves @wgreaves.bsky.social · Mar 28

The Canada-US relationship has taken a real beating, and PM
@mark-carney.bsky.social is showing the kind of leadership Canadians expect and deserve to defend us in this troubling time. #cdnpoli #ElbowsUp

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

ACLU @aclu.org · Mar 24

If the government is allowed to detain a lawful permanent resident like Mahmoud Khalil for his advocacy in support of Palestinian rights, all of our free speech rights are at risk.

Read Mahmoud's message to the country, in his own words.

A Letter From Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil | ACLU

Khalil, who was unlawfully arrested in retaliation for his advocacy, details this violation of his free speech rights.

www.aclu.org

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Reposted by Colin Bennett

MIT Press @mitpress.bsky.social · Mar 19

In "We, the Data," political scientist @profwhw.bsky.social argues for a human rights framework to reassert our personhood, autonomy, and dignity in the face of datafication. She joined CBC Radio's IDEAS to explain what it means to be "datafied":

Data is 'sticky,' there's way too much, and we don't control it, warns political scientist | CBC Radio

In this digital age, we must think of ourselves as stakeholders, playing a vital role in the creation of data, says Wendy H. Wong. She is a political scientist and winner of the 2024 Balsillie Prize…

www.cbc.ca

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Mar 21

How the hell can Hungary still be a credible member of the EU?

Evan Greer @evangreer.bsky.social · Mar 20

if you think this can't happen here, think again. truthout.org/articles/hun...

Hungary Bans LGBTQ Pride Events, Approves Facial Recognition to Track Attendees

Thousands protested the ban outside Hungary’s parliament, blocking traffic and defying police orders to disperse.

truthout.org

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Colin Bennett @colinjbennett.bsky.social · Mar 21

Very happy to be leading this KnowledgeNet discussion in Victoria on March 25th on "Global Privacy Protection." Registration here.

iapp.org/connect/comm...

In-Person Victoria KnowledgeNet: 25 March 2025

This event will be held in person with no virtual component or recording. If registration is closed or you have any questions, please email [email protected]:Global Privacy Protection: Adequ...

iapp.org

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