Access and Privacy Online

News Summary January 31st, 2026

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This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, January 31st. 

This week, artificial intelligence is colliding with privacy, democracy, and public trust—from Google’s move to fold personal data directly into AI-powered search to renewed federal plans for an online harms bill that could reshape how Canadians, especially children, experience the internet. 

We’re also tracking how access-to-information requests continue to reveal gaps in accountability, from policing and municipal spending to environmental protection, while privacy failures—inside police forces, public utilities, and care homes—raise urgent questions about oversight and transparency. 

And in the United States, we’ll look at platform power, data breaches, voter privacy, and what happens when democratic processes slip out of public view. 

Show Notes: https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/20260131-access-and-privacy-online 

Individual Stories: https://fipa.bc.ca/tag/2026-season-episode-05 

FIPA Bill C-4: 

  • Bill C-4 Dashboard: https://fipa.bc.ca/fipa-bill-c-4-part-4-dashboard/  
    • Bill C-4 Backgrounder: https://fipa.bc.ca/bill-c-4-background/ 
      • Send a message to members of parliament: https://fipa.bc.ca/c-4-email-to-mps/ 
        • Send a message to Senators: https://fipa.bc.ca/c-4-email-to-senators/ 
          • Bill C-4 Resources: https://fipa.bc.ca/bill-c-4-resources/ 
            • Donate to Help Us Reach More Canadians: https://fipa.bc.ca/pr/donate-c4/ 

              • Support these efforts by subscribing or donating. 

              Send comments to [email protected] 

              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)