Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Study Says DRM Violates Canadian Privacy Laws

Posted by Zonk on from the they-know-who-you-is dept.

inkslinger77 writes "DRM technology used in consumer media may be violating Canadian privacy laws, according to a new report. The study, done by University of Ottawa's Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, found that a number of services like iTunes, Visio, and Symantec's North SystemWorks require too much personal information in order to verify their users. 'Another issue cited by [study lead investigator David Fewer] concerned the disclosure of DRM-collected personal information from users of Intuit's QuickTax software."It wasn't the use of QuickTax itself that triggered the concern, but rather the use of Intuit's online filing service where we found buried in one of the disclosures the notice that, as an international corporation, Intuit would send information across the border," Fewer said.'"

4 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Norman, coordinate... by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 4, Funny

    DRM violates Canadian privacy laws...
    But Canada is the source of all piracy...
    But DRM violates Canadian privacy laws...
    But Canada is the source of all piracy...
    dweeeeeeeeeeee

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  2. Wrongheaded View by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    This view of DRM as 'evil' is totally wrongheaded. DRM allows consumers more choice in the market place, making music and other valuable content available on great devices. DRM allows interoperability, without sacrificing the rights of content owners.

    DRM can be used to protect your files. Set the read-only bit lately? that's DRM! It's simple, non intrusive, and protects you and me, how simple can it get?

  3. Re:Canadian Tariffs & International Jurisdicti by c · · Score: 4, Funny
    • does that mean you could buy blank media from Canada from another country and distribute whatever you want on it, claiming that you paid the copyright fee by virtue of the Canadian tariff
    • In similar fashion, does Canadian privacy law extend to non-Canadian citizens buying DRMed items?


    Absolutely. Canadian law applies to everyone, anywhere in the world. We're generous that way.

    Unfortunately, unlike certain other countries, we do have some logistical issues with enforcing our laws outside the Canadian border.

    We can offer you some really nice red and white "Get out of jail free, eh" cards. You have a colour printer handy?

    c.
    --
    Log in or piss off.
  4. Re:So that means that it's legal to crack Intuit D by Dunbal · · Score: 2, Funny

    Therefore I call upon the will of the Canadian people to ignore Intuit's right to intellectual property.

          Ugh, I'd gladly set up a torrent if it wasn't (drumroll) tax software... real pirates don't pay tax anyway!

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.