Canada's Supreme Court moves to protect internet anonymity
Judges say search warrant is required to make providers reveal the identities of customers
Canada's constitution bars authorities from forcing internet providers to turn over the identities of customers without a warrant, the Supreme Court ruled in a decision that better protects online anonymity.
The court handed down a unanimous ruling in the case of Matthew Spencer, convicted of possessing child pornography by a Saskatchewan provincial court.
Privacy advocates say the ruling makes unconstitutional a Conservative government bill currently before Parliament that would broaden the ability of police to monitor online traffic.
The legislation, which would amend existing laws covering search warrants and other investigative techniques, is intended to combat cyberbullying, but critics say it would allow excessive online spying.
Spencer used his computer to store hundreds of explicit images and videos of children.
The court said police effectively conducted a search without a warrant when they requested and received subscriber information for the account from Shaw Communications, the internet provider.