Legalizing Illegal Mass Surveillance

Electronic surveillance activities have expanded globally since the 'War on Terror' began in 2001. These include illegal mass surveillance practices by national security intelligence agencies. Legislative trends in Canada and other countries are increasing legalization of previously illegal mass surveillance activities, lowering legal standards of privacy and personal data protection and weakening the checks and balances in democratic governance. In this talk, based on her interviews with Edward Snowden and other whistleblowers, Dr. Ogasawara gives an overview of contemporary mass surveillance activities and discusses how they relate to our everyday lives and democracy.