Thank you, Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. Thank you for sharing your recommendations. Part of our work as a committee is to make recommendations. Thank you for sharing those off the top, from both organizations.
We did hear from the Privacy Commissioner about the use of the term “spyware” specifically. This is a quote from the testimony the Privacy Commissioner gave us. He said, “Initial reports referred to them as covert surveillance or spyware. Since then, it has been clarified that the tools are digital forensic tools, which are distinct from spyware.” He also said, “Digital forensics tools are distinct from spyware in that spyware is typically installed remotely on a person's device without their knowledge.”
We've heard that these devices are used within regulations, a warrant, and the knowledge of employees. We've heard from several agencies when we asked them about.... I think I specifically asked if you can remotely access people's information with these tools and they say, no, you have to get a warrant and physically obtain the device, connect to it, and then you can extract the information that we've been talking about.
Do you have any thoughts on that, Ms. Carr?