"Listening equipment 'will record conversations' at Canadian airports: CBSA"

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Listening equipment 'will record conversations' at Canadian airports: CBSA
By Ian MacLeod
Canada - The Ottawa Citizen


OTTAWA - Airports and border crossings across Canada are being wired with
high-definition cameras and microphones that can eavesdrop on travellers'
conversations, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.

A CBSA statement said that audio-video monitoring and recording is already
in place at unidentified CBSA sites at airports and border points of entry
as part of an effort to enhance "border integrity, infrastructure and asset
security and health and safety."

As part of the work, the agency is introducing audio-monitoring equipment as
well.

"It is important to note that even though audio technology is installed, no
audio is recorded at this time. It will become functional at a later date,"
CBSA spokesman Chris Kealey said in a written statement.

But whenever that occurs, the technology, "will record conversations," the
agency said in a separate statement in response to questions from the Ottawa
Citizen.

At Ottawa's airport, signs will be posted referring passersby to a "privacy
notice" that will be posted on the CBSA website once the equipment is
activated, and to a separate help line explaining how the recordings will be
used, stored, disclosed and retained.

Already, though, the union representing about 45 CBSA employees at the
airport is concerned personal workplace conversations and remarks could be
captured and become part of employees' official record, Jean-Pierre Fortin,
national president of the Custom and Immigration Union, said Friday. He
added that the union only learned of the audio-recording development this
week, after reporters began making inquiries.

The recording equipment may also be linked to a federal initiative to help
CBSA combat organized crime and internal smuggling conspiracies at big
Canadian airports.

A 2008 RCMP report said at least 58 crime groups were believed active at
major airports, typically by corrupting airport employees or placing
criminal associates in airport jobs to move narcotics and other contraband
to and from planes.

The Customs Act was amended in 2009 to allow for the creation of "customs
controlled areas" within airports, starting with those in Toronto, Montreal
and Vancouver, followed by Ottawa and other international Canadian
aerodromes.

A crucial aspect of the change are proposed regulations giving border
services officers expanded powers to question, examine and search airport
workers and travellers, both domestic and international, within the
designated areas.

The controlled areas at Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
include the areas surrounding aircraft that have arrived in or are about to
leave Canada; the primary inspection area where all travellers must report
to a border services officer; the secondary inspection area where border
services officers conduct further examinations of travellers and goods; as
well as certain holding and departure areas at the airport.

The Treasury Board requires government departments to conduct a "privacy
impact assessment" before establishing any new or substantially modified
program or activity involving personal information. The assessment is then
reviewed by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

The office this week said it is reviewing a CBSA privacy assessment for the
customs controlled areas.

But, "we have not received a privacy impact assessment regarding audio-video
monitoring at the Ottawa airport," said spokeswoman Valerie Lawton. "If the
CBSA were to introduce audio-video monitoring, our office would expect a
full privacy impact assessment, which we would review and make (non-binding)
recommendations as necessary to protect privacy."

An official with the Ottawa International Airport Authority had no comment
on the CBSA installations, saying the two organizations are distinct and
separate.

 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************