Volume II

Issue : 16: August 5, 2004

• U.S. Court of Appeals Denies Injunction in Copyright Dispute over Online Product Descriptions
• U.S. Congress Reviewing Two Bills to Regulate VoIP Services
• Report Outlines Serious Privacy Concerns Regarding Online Pharmacies
• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal Addresses Mandatory Arbitration Clause
• In First of its Kind, Man Pleads Guilty Under U.S. Internet Harassment Law
• U.S. Court of Appeals Orders New Trial in Trade Secrets Case
• B.C. Government Examines the Implications of the Patriot Act
• California Court of Appeal Rules eBay Not Liable for Comments Posted by User

Home > Volume II > Issue 16: August 5, 2004 > B.C. Government Examines the Implications of the Patriot Act

B.C. Government Examines the Implications of the Patriot Act

In response to an invitation by the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, the Government of British Columbia has made submissions regarding possible implications of the U.S. Patriot Act for the personal information of British Columbians as a result of the outsourcing of government services to U.S. linked service providers. The Government takes the position that the risk that personal information held in B.C. could, or would, be obtained by U.S. authorities under the Patriot Act as a result of Government outsourcing initiatives is small, however, the Government will take effective measures to reduce that minimal risk.

In order to address any privacy risk posed by the Patriot Act, the Government intends on implementing a combination of effective privacy protection strategies in arrangements with service providers as well as the introduction of new legislative measures to strengthen privacy protection. The legislation is expected to be introduced in the fall.

For a copy of the submissions, visit:

http://www.gov.bc.ca/mser/down/submission.pdf