The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.

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The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.

For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.

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The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Homeland Security opening private mail 

MSNBC is reporting that a retired professor in the US is shocked that a recent letter from a regular correspondent in the Phillipines was opened and examined by the Department of Homeland Security. The letter arrived with a piece of green tape on it, indicating that the letter was opened "by Border Protection." I don't think this is a new phenomenon, but is being reported on in the wake of the warrantless wiretap scandal in the US.

One thing I find interesting from the story is that the retired professor used to do the same sort of "mail inspection" during the war:

Goodman is no stranger to mail snooping; as an officer during World War II he was responsible for reading all outgoing mail of the men in his command and censoring any passages that might provide clues as to his unit’s position. “But we didn’t do it as clumsily as they’ve done it, I can tell you that,” Goodman noted, with no small amount of irony in his voice. “Isn’t it funny that this doesn’t appear to be any kind of surreptitious effort here,” he said.

Would he prefer that this be hidden?

Read the MSNBC article here: Homeland Security opening private mail - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com.

Privacy :: Homeland Security :: Mail :: National Security

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