RCMP hold improper, secret databases on Canadians
Secret databases kept by RCMP have been revealed and contain, apparently, a shocking amount of information which, "should not have been there" according to the Privacy Commissioner.
CBC
...more than 50 per cent of the files in a database about national security investigations were inappropriate.
Both of the databanks are called "exempt databanks," meaning they are highly secretive and are supposed to contain only the most sensitive information. RCMP can refuse to confirm or deny the existence of information in an exempt databank when someone asks to see it.
"Being named in a national security exempt bank file could have a harmful impact, particularly in a post-9/11 environment," she [Privacy Commissioner Stoddard] said.
"For example, it could potentially affect someone trying to obtain an employment security clearance, or impede an individual's ability to cross the border."
She said that is especially troubling is that Canadians can't get access to the information about themselves that is stored in the banks. She said only information that could seriously threaten national security, international affairs or criminal investigations should be stored in such a secretive way.
Of course, the RCMP says it's all okay:
CBC
While [RCMP Chief Supt. Dan Killam] conceded that more than half the files examined by Stoddart breached RCMP policy, he stressed that only a "single-digit percentage" of those actually broke the privacy law.
This sort of shit is what lead Arar to be tortured for many months in Syria (according to the judicial inquiry into that whole shitstorm). Of course, this'll only happen to YOU if you're the wrong skin-colour, religion or ethnicity.