Terrorism, Censorship & Illiberalism

FLQ Crisis

A crisis in October 1970 involving the kidnapping of politicians and the use of the War Measures Act in Canada.

War Measures Act

Legislation that allowed for warrantless arrests and the suspension of civil rights in Canada during a national crisis.

Emergencies Act

Introduced in 1980, it replaced the War Measures Act and outlined procedures for public welfare and security emergencies.

Patriot Act

Legislation passed after 9/11 that expanded the government's surveillance powers, allowing wiretapping and searches without probable cause.

COINTELPRO

A covert FBI program that targeted and monitored suspected threats, including civil rights leaders.

Maher Arar

A Canadian citizen who was wrongfully detained and tortured under anti-terrorism measures after being placed on a U.S. watchlist.

Five Eyes alliance

An intelligence alliance comprising the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, focusing on sharing surveillance and intelligence.

Mass Surveillance

The widespread monitoring of individuals' activities, often justified in the name of national security, raising privacy concerns.

FISA Court

A secret court established by the PATRIOT ACT that oversees requests for surveillance warrants against foreign spies.

No Fly Lists

Lists maintained by governments that prevent certain individuals from boarding commercial aircraft due to security concerns.

Intelligence Community

A coalition of government agencies and organizations within a country responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis.

Terrorism

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, to pursue political aims.

Privacy Laws

Regulations that govern the collection, storage, and dissemination of personal information to protect individual privacy.

Algorithmic Surveillance

The use of automated algorithms to monitor and analyze data from various sources for security purposes.

Whistleblower Protection

Laws designed to protect individuals who report misconduct or illegal activities within an organization from retaliation.

Data Retention Laws

Legislation that requires service providers to store user data for a specified period, often for security purposes.

Counterterrorism Strategy

A comprehensive approach employed by governments to prevent and respond to terrorist activities.

Cybersecurity

The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.

Radicalization

The process by which individuals come to adopt extremist beliefs and ideologies, often leading to terrorism.

Human Rights Violations

Actions that contravene the basic rights and freedoms entitled to every individual, often occurring under the guise of national security.

Case Study: Maher Arar

A Canadian citizen wrongfully detained and tortured under anti-terrorism measures after being placed on a U.S. watchlist, raising issues of rendition and human rights.

Case Study: COINTELPRO

An FBI program that targeted civil rights leaders and activists, illustrating governmental surveillance and suppression of dissent.

Case Study: 9/11 Attacks

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S. led to significant changes in national security policies and the implementation of the Patriot Act.

Case Study: No Fly List Controversies

Incidents involving individuals wrongfully placed on No Fly Lists, raising questions about due process and government overreach.

Case Study: Edward Snowden Revelations

The disclosure of NSA surveillance activities by whistleblower Edward Snowden, sparking global debates about privacy and government surveillance.