State Surveillance
The Issue
Documents released by Edward Snowden have revealed a degree of state surveillance that exceeds almost everyone’s worst fears. What is unknown are the full effects pervasive surveillance is having on individual action and decision-making and the viability of our democratic institutions.
Why It Matters
Intellectual privacy is essential for free expression. It is the privacy that shields us from surveillance as we generate and explore ideas, discuss them with confidants, and prepare to express our thoughts and engage in action in our everyday lives and in the public domain.
Our Work
The Centre for Free Expression explores the extent, nature and effects of surveillance. Our focus is to create greater public awareness and understanding of these issues and to promote discussion of laws, policies and practices that ensure democratic and human rights are not compromised
Resources
Police Surveillance and Civil Liberties
Panelists: Bill Dunphy, Evan Light, Brenda McPhail
Moderator: James L. Turk
Can I Send Books to Prisoners?
PEN Canada
Public Photography is No Crime
PEN Canada
Can the Police Search my Phone?
PEN Canada
You’re being watched: How we can expose the watchers and protect our rights
Edward Snowden’s documents are a gold mine of information about how we are being watched. Light will look at privacy, the role of telecommunications providers, key surveillance programs and introduce the Snowden Archive-in-a-Box