A Canadian senator who says her country's pending information privacy act does not go far enough is proposing legislation that would enshrine privacy as a fundamental right. It's not just a question of electronic commerce. It goes far beyond that.
Privacy is essential to the principles of common trust that underlie our society.
Get Wired News delivered to your inbox or hand-held device. The senator's proposal, which is now open for public comment before it goes on to Parliament in April, provides far-reaching protections for privacy in all aspects of life. Not only would the Privacy Charter prohibit the unauthorized collection and dissemination of personal information and protect communications, it would also cover personal physical privacy and protect people from surveillance. The proposal would correct what privacy advocates believe is a glaring omission in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Privacy wasn't so much of an issue, and it was something we took for granted.