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Privacy concerns prompt Ottawa to slow down on eavesdropping plan

The federal government has hit the pause button on its plan to eavesdrop at border points amid a brewing storm of privacy concerns.But there were still more questions than answers Tuesday about the surveillance plan.Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said he has told the Canada Border Services Agency to place audio monitoring plans on hold until a study of the privacy implications is complete.

OTTAWA — The federal government has hit the pause button on its plan to eavesdrop at border points amid a brewing storm of privacy concerns.

But there were still more questions than answers Tuesday about the surveillance plan.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said he has told the Canada Border Services Agency to place audio monitoring plans on hold until a study of the privacy implications is complete.

Some travellers expressed concern about the apparent plan by the federal agency to record conversations at airports and border crossings.

Toews wants to see a privacy impact assessment by the border agency and recommendations from the federal privacy commissioner before going any further.

“I share the concerns of Canadians regarding the privacy impact of audio recordings, even when it occurs in a restricted area in an airport,” Toews said in the House of Commons during the daily question period.

The move came just one day after the minister defended the border agency initiative.