Another top secret document has been revealed by Edward Snowden, and according to CBCNews, the Canadian spy agency tracked travelers using airport WiFi.
People who used the free WiFi at a major Canadian airport were apparently tracked for days after they left the airport by the spy agency.
The spy agency is supposed to be collecting primarily foreign intelligence by intercepting overseas phone and internet traffic, and is prohibited by law from targeting Canadians or anyone in Canada without a judicial warrant.
As CSEC chief John Forster recently stated: “I can tell you that we do not target Canadians at home or abroad in our foreign intelligence activities, nor do we target anyone in Canada.
It is alleged that the system was trialled by the NSA and the CSEC with the possibility of it being expanded to other countries, although there is no details on what data was captured.
Implications of Mass Surveillance
The revelation that the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) tracked travelers using airport WiFi raises significant concerns about privacy and the extent of surveillance conducted by government agencies. While the CSEC is mandated to collect foreign intelligence, the tracking of individuals within Canada, even if incidental, blurs the lines of legal and ethical boundaries. The use of airport WiFi to monitor individuals’ movements for days after they left the airport suggests a level of surveillance that many would find intrusive.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of mass surveillance practices that have come to light in recent years. Edward Snowden’s disclosures have repeatedly shown that intelligence agencies, including the NSA and its allies, have engaged in extensive data collection efforts. These efforts often involve the cooperation of private companies and the exploitation of public infrastructure, such as WiFi networks, to gather information on individuals without their knowledge or consent.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The legal framework governing surveillance activities is complex and varies from country to country. In Canada, the CSEC operates under the National Defence Act, which allows it to collect foreign intelligence but imposes strict limitations on the targeting of Canadians. The revelation that travelers were tracked using airport WiFi raises questions about whether these activities were conducted within the bounds of the law.
Ethically, the use of public WiFi networks to monitor individuals’ movements raises significant concerns. Most people use airport WiFi with the expectation of privacy and security. The idea that their activities could be monitored and tracked long after they leave the airport is likely to be unsettling for many. This kind of surveillance can have a chilling effect on individuals’ willingness to use public networks and can erode trust in public institutions.
Moreover, the potential expansion of this surveillance system to other countries suggests a growing trend towards global surveillance networks. If such practices become widespread, they could lead to a situation where individuals are constantly monitored, regardless of where they are in the world. This raises important questions about the balance between security and privacy and the extent to which individuals’ rights should be protected in the digital age.
The revelation that the Canadian spy agency tracked travelers using airport WiFi highlights the ongoing debate about surveillance, privacy, and security. While intelligence agencies have a mandate to protect national security, their activities must be conducted within the bounds of the law and with respect for individuals’ rights. The use of public WiFi networks for surveillance purposes raises significant legal and ethical concerns that need to be addressed to ensure that individuals’ privacy is protected in an increasingly connected world.
Source The Next Web
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