OTTAWA – Canada’s police chiefs want a new law that would force people to hand over their computer passwords with a judge’s consent.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has passed a resolution calling for the legal measure to unlock digital evidence, saying criminals increasingly use encryption to hide illicit activities.
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RCMP Assistant Commissioner Joe Oliver told a news conference today there is nothing currently in Canadian law that would compel someone to provide a password to police during an investigation.
Oliver says criminals — from child abusers to mobsters — are operating online in almost complete anonymity.
The police chiefs’ resolution comes as the federal government begins a consultation on cybersecurity, including the best ways to balance online freedoms with needs of police.
The consultation runs until Oct. 15.
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