Are you worried about increased surveillance at airports and borders?

UPDATE: Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has ordered the Canadian Border Services Agency to halt audio monitoring of travellers until privacy assessment conducted.

Original post:

The Canada Border Services Agency will soon monitor travellers crossing the border by land and air using high-definition cameras and microphones to listen to conversations, CBC News has learned.

New cameras are being installed at airports and border crossings. (iStock)And assistant privacy commissioner Chantal Bernier said that the CBSA hasn't completed the privacy assessment on the new measure, as required by Treasury Board policy.

However, CBSA spokesperson Luc Nadon said audio-visual "monitoring and recording technology has been in use for many years," and the new microphones and HD cameras are being added as part of renovations and normal equipment replacement.

In question period on Monday, when asked about privacy concerns, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said CBSA operates customs-controlled areas "for screening international travellers arriving at airports across Canada, including monitoring video and audio in order to detect and prevent illegal smuggling."

CBSA said most recordings are deleted after 30 days.

Are you worried about increased surveillance at airports and borders? Let us know what you think.



(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)