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Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

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Re: Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

#51
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, a technology expert is - in aggregate - more trustworthy than a politician because their incentives align with yours. This isn't to say that every technology expert can be trusted. The hope is that many eyes looking at the problem helps move the needle. Politics might as well be the science of deception. My pithy opinion is that nearly everyone is more trustworthy than a politician.

Well, a technology expert is - in aggregate - more trustworthy than a politician because their incentives align with yours. This is ... myopic . Do you think ransomeware is written by politicians? All malicious software is written by technology experts . Is not that I trust politicians, far from it: we know they're all lying crooked thieves. But you think "technology experts are more trustworthy."

If you think ransomware affects the aggregate that much, i'd call that hyperopic.

Re: Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

#52

For any non-Canadians reading this, understand that Canadians have a very different relationship with CSIS than say Americans do with the NSA or Brits with GCHQ. We have not seen the bulk use of this data for purposes of general law enforcement. It isn't being used to nab drug dealers or child pornographers. CSIS is rather oldschool in it's approach: intel assets are for intel purposes, not law enforcement. At least…

We have not seen the bulk use of this data for purposes of general law enforcement. It isn't being used to nab drug dealers or child pornographers.

Yeah, they told us the same thing.

Do some reading on a concept known as "parallel construction."

Re: Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

#53
post #6

"But there is no apparent fallout from this for CSIS yet. While the spy agency says it will stop analyzing the contentious data, there are no indications that it will destroy the data." It's not really illegal if there's no enforcement, is there?

Organizations select for those who create more power. Those in control in any organization got there by maximizing their power relative to any other competitors.

Frustrating a few concerned citizens is worth it. You can't expect an organization to do what is morally just if it doesn't align with it's interests.

1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12880180

Re: Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd extend it to: you'd be a fool to trust anyone with your data and privacy. At least law enforcement is working under the premise of the good of society (albeit, implemented poorly), compared to Google and Facebook which is working to monetize you.

What difference does it make under your argument whether they are trying to monetize the data or not? As long as they have your data, it's at risk. It's the same for Apple and Microsoft as it is for Google and Facebook. That Tim Cook pretends not to understand it doesn't mean we have to buy his misguided marketing speak.

I did say not to trust anyone. But there is a certain point where you are going to need to trust a service provider and intent and actions matter a lot at that point.

Re: Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

#55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On top of encrypting everything/using VPNs, you'd have to be a fool to trust your data to a Five Eyes country in $current_year. Put that encrypted data/email on a server in Iceland or Seychelles, completely out of reach of the panopticon. You'd be almost as large a fool incorporating in a Five Eyes country for the same reasons. Bermuda and Nevis are beautiful countries for more than just the scenery. Take your assets…

And I'm supposed to believe Iceland, Seychelles, Bermuda, and Nevis aren't crawling with secret agents, double-agents, tripple-agents, octuple-agents, moles, and honeypot operators. Come now, I've watched my fair share of Hollywood spy movies.

let's just say that the choices I have made in those regards have provably kept me out of a jail cell.

Re: Canada’s federal court rules intelligence service bulk data collection illegal

#56
post #11
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. ... for me. Not for them, apparently. If the people enforcing the law aren't required to know or follow it, why am I required to?

They're not claiming to be ignorant of the law. They're claiming they made every effort to obey the law; they thought they were obeying the law. It turns out they were wrong. Many crimes require both actus reus (guilty act) and mens rea (guilty mind).

Try telling that to a cop.

"I honestly thought that the speed limit was 55. I didn't see any signs saying it was 35."

The cop's answer? "Too bad. Ignorance of the law is no excuse".

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