‘Contextualization Engines’ can fight misinformation without censorship
Search engines transformed the first decade of the millennium. Recommendation engines revolutionized the second decade. Neither in their current form are sufficient for addressing misinformation. They focus on discovery and primarily rely on relevance. But they are not particularly helpful at many other important information tasks, particularly contextualization. We need better tools to help people […]
Facing the Realities of Facial Recognition Technology
Canada’s federal institutions are collecting, using, and disclosing people’s facial information. They are also increasingly relying on technology that uses this information, in combination with automated decision-making processes, to uniquely identify individuals. This is happening in Canada today, without adequate direction and protection from the Privacy Act. The use of this technology raises significant privacy […]
Facial Recognition Technology Policy Roundtable: What We Heard
In November 2020, the Cybersecure Policy Exchange at Ryerson University and the Tech Informed Policy initiative at McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy co-organized a roundtable on the governance of facial recognition technology (FRT). The event brought together 30 expert stakeholders and government officials under Chatham House Rules, to examine the implications of […]
Home Ice Advantage: Securing Data Sovereignty for Canadians on Social Media
More than three in four Canadians use social media platforms to connect with others here at home and around the world, often sharing life’s most intimate moments through public posts and private messages. In doing so, Canadians entrust these companies to secure and protect their personal data, which can include a wide range of sensitive […]
Advancing a Cybersecure Canada: Introducing the Cybersecure Policy Exchange
Cybersecurity and digital privacy are some of the most pressing challenges facing our modern world. In this report, we lay out our immediate areas of focus for the new Cybersecure Policy Exchange (CPX); explain what these technologies are; share our most-up-to-date understanding of the challenges that each presents to Canadians; and share new research of […]
The Race to Trace: Security and Privacy of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps
Contact tracing is one of the most discussed and misunderstood policy issues as we grapple with COVID-19. In this, our first report, we explain what contact tracing is, its context, share our most up-to-date understanding of the issue, and reveal Canadians’ attitudes towards the use of the technology. We give policy recommendations to help ensure […]
Now You See Me? Advancing Data Protection and Privacy for Police Use of Facial Recognition in Canada
Law enforcement in Canada is increasingly turning to facial recognition in hopes of augmenting their investigative powers. Facial recognition is the process of identifying a person or verifying their identity on the basis of facial data and patterns. There are numerous accuracy challenges associated with facial recognition technology that can exacerbate historical prejudices and stereotypes, […]
Workplace Surveillance and Remote Work: Exploring the Impacts and Implications Amidst Covid-19 in Canada
As the global Covid-19 pandemic swept across the world, digital technologies played a critical role in connecting employers with employees beyond the physical workplace and into employees’ homes. Not only have such advancements in technology allowed employees to work remotely, but they have also enabled employers to track, monitor and analyze workers in new and […]
Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and Cyber Legends announce partnership to equip Canadian students with critical cybersecurity skills
May 31, 2023 (Brampton, ON) – Today, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst (“the Catalyst”) and Cyber Legends are proud to announce a unique partnership to offer cybersecurity education and skill building to K-12 students across Canada. The Catalyst – Toronto Metropolitan University’s national centre for training, innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity – and Cyber Legends, a video […]
CLIC is designed to help women succeed in cyber
With women holding only about 25% of cybersecurity roles worldwide, it’s clear there is significant work to do to close the gender gap in cybersecurity. Here at the Catalyst, we are committed to diversifying the cyber talent pipeline. We know that women hoping to start careers in cyber face real barriers. Our CLIC program is […]
