Access and Privacy Online

News Summary January 24th, 2026

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This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, January 24th. 

This week, we’re tracking a sharp escalation in surveillance and enforcement powers—from a B.C. municipality openly challenging a privacy watchdog’s authority to U.S. immigration officers asserting the right to enter homes without a judge’s warrant. 

We’re also looking at how access-to-information requests continue to expose gaps in oversight—whether that’s contaminated land in Ontario, the limits of Canada’s whistleblower protections, or the growing pressure on public transparency as AI, trade, and national security collide. 

And internationally, we’ll examine how internet shutdowns and connected-car technologies are reshaping privacy and access to information far beyond Canada’s borders. 

Show Notes: https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/20260124-access-and-privacy-online 

Individual Stories: https://fipa.bc.ca/tag/2026-season-episode-04 

FIPA Bill C-4 

  • UPDATED Call to Action: https://fipa.bc.ca/bill-c-4-2025/ 
    • FIPA Bill C-4 Part 4 Dashboard: https://fipa.bc.ca/fipa-bill-c-4-part-4-dashboard/ 
      • Bill C-4 Part 4 line-by-line and brief: https://fipa.bc.ca/bill-c-4-part-4-line-by-line-and-brief/ 

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        Our Contributors: 

        Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder  

        Access and Privacy Online: https://fipa.bc.ca/research-resources/podcasts/access-and-privacy-online/  

        News stories through the Canadian Press and Feedly. 

        Available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes,  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM. ListenNotes,  Podchaser, Boomplay 

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        Access and Privacy OnlineBy Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA)