That Michael Ignatieff screensaver is watching you…
The copyright lobby’s interest in the bill has been simmering since its introduction, with lobbyists attending the committee hearings and working with Liberal and Bloc MPs to secure changes. The two core concerns arise from fears that the bill could prevent surreptitious use of DRM and block enforcement initiatives that might involve accessing users’ personal computers without their permission.
The DRM concern arises from a requirement in the bill to obtain consent before installing software programs on users’ computers. This anti-spyware provision applies broadly, setting an appropriate standard of protection for computer users. Yet the copyright lobby fears it could inhibit installation of DRM-type software without full knowledge and consent. Sources say that the Liberals have introduced a motion that would take these practices outside of the bill. In its place, they would define computer program as, among other things, “a program that has as its primary function…inducing a user to install software by intentionally misrepresenting that installing that software is necessary to safeguard security or privacy or to open or play content of a computer program.” This sets such a high bar – primary function, intentional mispresentation – that music and software industry can plausibly argue that surreptitious DRM installations fall outside of C-27.
Even more troubling are proposed changes that would allow copyright owners to secretly access information on users’ computers…
Emphasis mine.
Am I reading this right, the Lieberals want the music industry to have the right to put spy programs onto your computer without your permission.
I can see a host of privacy and abuse situations with this bill. I’ll be watching for this type of legislation to come to the US.
While this is troubling, remember that there are many people out there that are “warriors for privacy” who are technologically savvy. I would expect them to release privacy guard software which would intercept and defeat such attempts to secretly access your info on your own computer.
It’ll be free and it’ll come fast. Count on it. And the bonus? The next time a Liberal or NDP candidate comes a-knockin’ on your door, you can confront them with this little tidbit and watch them squirm while trying to explain their way out of it…
Garth
smoothwall OS firewall running on a dedicated cheapie P3 or P4, like an old laptop or something. It can block stuff going in -or- out.
http://www.smoothwall.org/
That said, there’s no excuse for this kind of thing in a free country. People including spyware in their media offerings will find themselves going out of business even faster than they are right now. Government needs to be on the proper side of this.
CPC wake the F- up, jerks.
Firewall. Port blocking. Easy.
This is why I refuse to buy any SONY products. They secretly included a “root kit” which installed itself on your computer with a number of their products, and then used that to spy on their customers. They won’t get the chance to do that to me!
Michael Geist should be mandatory reading for every politician.
Between the MSMers who are completely clueless and the Pols who are incapable of any integrity….
People are in for a rough ride.
BTW – about SONY …. I tried to load Sony’s recording app Sond Forge and my security stopped it cold.
I have not bought a SONY product since the early eighties for many reasons and that experience was the end of any use I have for that company.
There is nothing to worry about, hey, you’ve got $16,942.24 in your Royal bank savings account? That is so cool.
Firewall. Port blocking. Easy.
It’s also easy for them to use port 80 and HTTP.
My computer expert says”Sure, if they want to open themselves, and all supporting software companies, up to the biggest DNS attack in history? Probably blow out the US mainlines!”