Somewhere along the line Canadians developed an almost pathological paranoia about the U.S. PATRIOT Act but this post isn’t about that legislation. No, it’s about the new American kid on the block: the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act* (“FATCA”). It actually makes one feel sorry for financial institutions and other organizations affected by this legislation. Read more »
Privacy has become less valued by society than in previous eras. Whether it’s security, convenience or the seemingly inevitable march of technology, we talk of “managing” privacy; of the balancing of business needs with individual interests; of data being the new currency; of generational change in attitudes; all ultimately leading one down the road of “privacy is dead” and of a need to “get over it”. You look at this type of roadmap and you can’t help but wonder if we’ve pulled – à la Bugs Bunny – a “wrong turn at Albuquerque”. Read more »
“Your word is your bond.” It’s a phrase that draws its origins from the Third Commandment and demands a high degree of integrity. However, substitute “password” for “word” and “security” for “bond”, and the story is very different in the world of online authentication. Read more »
K.T. Oslin won Best Country Vocal Performance at the 1988 Grammies for a song about three girls who grew up to be ‘80s Ladies – one of whom was a “borderline fool” who crossed that border every chance she got. While the song and, perhaps, the singer won’t be remembered today, this notion of being foolish crossing borders should be borne in mind when one considers personal electronics and travel. Read more »
For better or worse, the cloud can be seen as a “game-changer” in how we store and process information. While the placement of intellectual property, business confidential or personal information in the Cloud raises security concerns, it does offer benefits. In other words, it’s coming – whether we like it or not. Read more »
While in San Francisco for the ABA annual meeting earlier this month, I had lunch with John Tomaszewski, the General Counsel of TRUSTe. At the end of a very good conversation on privacy, security and identity, I couldn’t help but think that Cloud computing, as it actually is supposed to work, raises a lot of questions as to how custodians of personal information will be able to meet their legal obligations under existing data protection/privacy laws. Read more »
The regulatory bodies governing lawyers have long recognized the benefits and the risks of information technology in modern legal practices. However, with “Cloud computing” seemingly (and finally) “catching on”, one can’t help but wonder when the ethical guidance provided lawyers will be amended to address its possible use by the legal community in Canada. Read more »
Imagine building a house without wiring it for electricity.
Despite good intentions, millions of dollars, years of effort and, probably matching the historical norm of any visionary undertaking, a scandal or two, Ontario does not yet have an electronic health record (“EHR”). Despite some success with building networks and applications to support an EHR, the government still hasn’t got data governance right. Read more »
Another bit of privacy got chipped away last month. In a place you might not normally look and wrapped in the flag of workplace safety. The implications are troubling. Read more »
Michael Martineau and I are having a difference of opinion over Canada Health Infoway’s proposed PR campaign. Michael, who I know and respect very much, recently posted on his blog, eHealth Musings, about his attendance at the 10th annual eHealth Summit and a presentation by Kirk Ferguson of Canada Health Infoway (“Infoway” or “CHI”). While this isn’t a topic that I usually blog about, it being the 21st century, Michael asked me to respond via my blog to help foster a public dialogue on the subject. This is my response. Read more »
