© Mike Carroccetto /The Ottawa CitizenSophisticated cameras and microphones will put passengers at the Ottawa airport under greater scrutiny than ever before.
Canada, Ottawa - Sections of the Ottawa airport are now wired with microphones that can eavesdrop on travellers' conversations.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is nearing completion of a $500,000 upgrade of old video cameras used to monitor its new "customs controlled areas," including the primary inspection area for arriving international passengers.
As part of the work, the agency is introducing audio-monitoring equipment as well.
"It is important to note that even though audio technology is installed, no audio is recorded at this time. It will become functional at a later date," CBSA spokesman Chris Kealey said in a written statement.
But whenever that occurs, the technology, "will record conversations," the agency said in a separate statement in response to Citizen questions.
Meanwhile, as many as 88 of the new high-definition video cameras are to be ready this summer.
Once the Ottawa equipment is activated, signs will be posted referring passersby to a "privacy notice" that will be posted on the CBSA website, and to a separate help line explaining how the recordings will be used, stored, disclosed and retained.
Comment: If Greeks go to polls and it shakes the World Economy, do you think the United States will have to go in and blow them up for not voting in someone who stabilizes the World Economy? It's total nincompoopery. The World Economy is an illusion based on puppeteering that masks the complete depletion of resources. It's held together by the dull humdrum of our chemical lobotomized selves going back and forth, reacting with fear, being good consumers, holding up the illusion that all is well.
The closing few lines in this (3:48) video pretty much sum it up:
The article title says it all really: "to keep tensions high", which is exactly the anxiety those pulling the strings want you to feel.