Citizen Lab Research Associate Christopher Parsons joined The Agenda with Steve Paikin on TVO to discuss the controversial Bill C-51, anti-terrorism legislation passed by the previous Conservative government. He joined a panel to discuss potential changes to the law, which has been used by agencies like the RCMP and Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police to petition for new powers to access telephone and Internet data.

One of the central issues, which has drawn renewed legal interest in the United States, is allowing police the ability to unlock password protected mobile phones. Panelists also discussed the the growing number of police request for interception capabilities for telecommunications information.

The panelists discussed how to balance privacy rights with effective policing strategies in the digital realm. Watch the full video of the program. Christopher Parsons’ remarks begin at the 6:00 minute mark in the video.