Keyboard. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Keyboard. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

MP Wants Rules To Deal With Cyber Hostage Takers

Windsor West MP Brian Masse thinks it's time Canada came up with guidelines for organizations that fall victim to cyber hostage-takers.

The University of Calgary recently paid out $20,000 after an attack on its computer systems, but Masse says there's no guarantee the suspects won't strike again.

"It comes with many other questions about whether or not the deal can be trusted," he says. "Whether or not it's partial information; whether or not they've sold the information already or are holding back for a period of time to do it again."

He suspects it happens more often than what is reported.

Masse says he's equally concerned Blackberry gave law enforcement officials personal and private data from its customers.

He asked the Liberal government to have the privacy commissioner to investigate. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale referred the question to the court process, but Masse says Canadians can't wait.

"I just believe that if we continue to allow a system in place that you can randomly payout ransom for privacy breaches that it's not a healthy environment for investment or the customers that using the internet," he says.

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