This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, April 11th.

This week, we’re tracking a troubling new phase in the pressure on access and privacy rights across Canada.

In British Columbia, the provincial government has confirmed it is now using artificial intelligence tools in freedom of information processing, even as concerns grow about transparency, accountability, and the lack of a clear public framework. We’ll also look at how FIPA brought those broader concerns to the Privacy and Access Council of Canada this week, as the pattern of so-called modernization continues to narrow access rights in multiple provinces.

Elsewhere, Ontario’s government is facing backlash over sweeping budget legislation that would retroactively shield political records from freedom-of-information law, while in Alberta, access-obtained documents raise fresh concerns about ideological influence over public education.

And internationally, the pressure is rising on Big Tech, as courts and governments take a much harder line on youth social media harms and platform accountability.

Show Notes: https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/20260411-access-and-privacy-online

Individual Stories: https://fipa.bc.ca/tag/2026-season-episode-15

FIPA Bill C-4

• Bill C-4 Dashboard: https://fipa.bc.ca/fipa-bill-c-4-part-4-dashboard/

• Bill C-4 Backgrounder: https://fipa.bc.ca/bill-c-4-background/

• FIPA E-petition page: https://fipa.bc.ca/upcoming-hoc-e-petition

• House of Commons E-Petition: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-7237

Donate to Help Us Reach More Canadians: https://fipa.bc.ca/pr/donate-c4/

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Send comments to FIPAOnline@fipa.bc.ca

Our Contributors:

Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder

Access and Privacy Online: https://fipa.bc.ca/research-resources/podcasts/access-and-privacy-online/

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