Public Events

Thursday, May 12, 2011

(Un)Lawful Access? Cyber-surveillance, Security and Civil Liberties

Join moderator Dr. Ron Deibert (Citizen Lab, U of T) for an insightful and lively discussion into some of the most pressing social issues surrounding our rights and freedoms as cyber-surveillance becomes an ubiquitous part of our lives, on-line and off. Featuring Jacob Appelbaum (Tor, University of Washington), Lisa Austin (Faculty of Law, U of T), Dave McMahon (Bell Canada), David Lyon (Surveillance Studies Centre, Queens U), Chris Prince (Office of the Privacy Commissioner) and Micheal Vonn (BC Civil Liberties Association).

5-7pm, followed by wine & cheese reception, Campbell Conference Facility, Munk School for Global Affairs, University of Toronto, 1 Devonshire Place (@Hoskin Ave.). (See map). Free. All Welcome!

Download media release

Friday May 13, 2011

Cyber-Surveillance in Everyday Life: An Art Exhibit

Join us for the opening of a multi-artist exhibit curated by InterAccess Gallery for Cyber-surveillance in Everyday Life: An International Workshop. New work by Kristen Atkins; David Bouchard, Bruno Lessard & Pierre Tremblay; Derek Dunlop; and Tomer Diamant & Matthew Hannam.

7pm-1 am, wine & cheese reception with DJ, 9 Ossington Ave. (See map). Free. All Welcome!

Download press release.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

(Video) Eyes on the Street

Join Dr. Andrew Clement and Dr. Joseph Ferenbok as they resprise their Jane’s Walk – a survey of downtown Toronto’s various video surveillance cameras (mainly operated by police, retailers and private sector security agencies) and accompanying signage (and lack thereof). We’ll discuss the relation between the ideas of urban safety/livability/crime reduction associated with these ‘video eyes’ and the human eyes that Jane Jacobs refers to in her famous phrase of ‘eyes on the street’.

We’ll also discuss the legal requirements of privacy protection that video surveillance operations should comply with. In particular, while private sector video surveillance is covered by the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), no installation we’ve encountered so far is fully compliant with the notification (signage) requirements of PIPEDA. In such cases we’ll discuss how to file a complaint with the federal Privacy Commissioner and issue an ‘infraction notice’ to the responsible organization. We’ll also discuss the Toronto Police Services installation and use of video surveillance cameras, particularly during the G20 meeting in June 2010.  Bring a camera or camera phone, especially with GPS, for documenting the surveillance cameras and signs we’ll spot.

This walk is based on on-going research at the University of Toronto. See the Canadian Surveillance Camera (aka CCTV) Signage Flickr Group and surveillancerights.ca.

11am, meet at Nathan Phillips Square, Main Entrance, under the big surveillance camera (under the Canadian flag). (See map). Free. All welcome!

Download press release.

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