Uncle Sam is Watching

March 28th, 2011  |  Comments

Flying from Canada to the Caribbean? The United States Department of Homeland Security may now know about it, even if you’re not stopping in the USA. The Canadian Government recently amended the Aeronautics Act with Bill C-42 (link)  to further permit airlines to provide passenger information for International flights that not only land in, but also overfly the United States.

Canadian airlines were concerned (link) that as a result of proposed new Regulations associated with the Secure Flight Program in the United States, they would not be able to comply with Canadian privacy laws.

Read the rest of this entry »

Airport Security Update: TSA Takes Over Watch Lists and More Body Scan Controversy

November 18th, 2010  |  Comments

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

The next phase of the United States Transportation Security Administration’s Secure Flight Program has begun for all tickets purchased after September 15, 2010 and for all flights departing after November 1, 2010 for domestic US flights or flights to/from the US.  Along with the usual information required by airlines, passengers are now required to provide their birth dates and genders when making flight reservations. 

Meanwhile, the controversy over full body scanners his been re-ignited by pilots’ unions, a lawsuit and a YouTube video.

Read the rest of this entry »

Privacy Commissioner Cannot Rule on Claims of Legal Privilege

June 11th, 2010  |  Comments

During an Air Canada Jazz flight from Kamloops to Vancouver, a flight attendant noticed that two passengers were consuming beer which had not been served to them by Air Canada.  Consumption of alcohol on board that has not been served by the air carrier is prohibited by the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Read the rest of this entry »

Invasion of the Body Scanners

March 16th, 2010  |  Comments

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

Airport body scanners have gained a lot of attention since their increasing use in North America and Europe in the wake of the failed attack by the “Underwear Bomber”.  Questions have been raised about whether the scanners invade an individual’s right to privacy and/or religious freedom, and if so, whether that invasion is justified.

Read the rest of this entry »