Photo: The Canadian Press A parliamentary committee will begin investigating the RCMP’s use of spyware on Monday. The House of Commons ethics and privacy committee ordered a summer study after the RCMP revealed its use of tools that secretly take data from devices such as phones and computers. RCMP say they have obtained warrants to use tools that collect text messages and emails and can remotely activate cameras and microphones in 10 investigations. The Canadian Civil Liberties Union called for discussion of the legal safeguards needed around the use of this technology. Privacy and technology lawyer David Fraser says it’s important to apply a higher level of scrutiny to warrants sought by police. Witnesses appearing during the scheduled two-day hearings include Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, current and former privacy commissioners and RCMP officers who oversaw the use of spyware.
