Over the past year, a number of significant wireless privacy issues arose that influenced public policy and adjusted social expectations of private communications. Within the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, a team of research analysts has been tracking these issues, and have also applied their expertise for formal technical investigations. In this talk, I will focus on one of our Office's most high-profile cases of 2010: Google's collection of wireless payload data. I will provide the "insider's view" of the investigation, as a key member of the technical team who drew up the plan of attack and carried out the site visit to Mountain View. Discover what happens when wonks and techs combine forces to shape public policy.
Tara Whalen joined the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) in December 2009, where she works as an IT Research Analyst. Prior to joining the OPC, she conducted post-doctoral research in computer security at Carleton University. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Dalhousie University. Tara has more than ten years' experience in the information security and privacy fields, including roles in research labs, academia, federal government institutions, and the private sector. Her research interests include the human factors of security and the social implications of technology.