PrivacyCommissioner
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Bell to track Canadian users' internet, phone and TV habits for targeted ads
Targeted advertising certainly isn't new, but Bell is taking it to a level that's making some Canadians uncomfortable. Starting November 16th, the telecom will track the habits of its customers for both network optimization and "more relevant" ads, including their app usage, calling patterns, web visits and TV channel picks. It will also start aggregating subscriber data such as age and device choice. Bell is quick to note that it's collecting anonymous data, and claims that subscribers aren't required to participate. However, the company is using an opt-out system -- it will track customers by default unless they know how to change their settings. The issue has garnered enough attention that Canada's Privacy Commissioner has promised an investigation, which suggests that Bell shouldn't count on implementing its policy without answering some tough questions.
Google's wardriving days are over, says Canadian privacy commissioner
When Google's Street View cars glide through your neighborhood next, you can leave the WPA2 encryption off -- Canada says that the company has "discontinued" the practice of snooping on unsecured WiFi networks with its mapping vehicles, and "has no plans to resume it." That's one of several findings in a report by Canada's privacy commissioner today, which also claims that the controversial data collection feature was the work of a single Google engineer, and that Google intends to use smartphones to pinpoint WiFi networks from now on. Naturally, the latter caused the commissioner concern that Android phones might capture the same data as the cars. Perhaps you'd best keep those shields up after all.
