Happy Data Privacy Week, Canada! 5th Edition

Happy Data Privacy Week, Canada! 5th Edition

To close out Data Privacy Week, we wanted to give you something you can carry into your weekend. Today we are sharing some of our favourite privacy-related content recommendations.[1] At McMillan, we believe that the pursuit of privacy need not be mundane – as shown by our curated collection of movies, books, podcasts and music.[2]

McMillan’s Top Privacy Picks: Our Content Recommendations

1.     Movies / TV Series

        Her (2013)

Step away from dystopian AI narratives like Matrix and 2001, A Space Odyssey. This romantic drama follows the arc of a traditional love story, casting an operating system in the role of the love interest.

        Ex Machina (2014)

A gripping exploration of artificial intelligence and morality unfolds when a young programmer is invited to administer the Turing test on a humanoid robot.

        Black Mirror (TV Series, 2011-present)

A thought-provoking anthology series delving into the dark and unforeseen consequences of modern society’s relationship with technology.

        The Great Hack (2019)

Unraveling the intricate web of data exploitation, this documentary delves into the far-reaching impact of personal information misuse by tech giants.

2.     Books

Your Face Belongs to Us: a Secretive Startup’s Quest to End Privacy as We Know It by Kashmir Hill (2023)

This national bestseller chronicles the rise of facial recognition technology and an obscure start-up company that is threatening the right to privacy in the digital age.

1984 by George Orwell (1949)

The emblematic dystopian novel 1984 explores the consequences of a totalitarian regime, focusing on surveillance and the loss of privacy.

No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State by Glenn Greenwald (2014)

An insider’s account of Edward Snowden’s revelations, exposing the vast extent of government surveillance and its impact on individual privacy.

Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World by Bruce Schneier (2015)

Computer security specialist Bruce Schneier explores the pervasive nature of data collection and its implications for personal privacy.

3.     Podcasts

Darknet Diaries

Embark on a thrilling journey into the dark side of the internet with Jack Rhysider’s expertly narrated stories of hacking and cybercrime.

Smashing Security

Enjoy a light, casual take on online privacy news stories, scams, deepfakes, and cybersecurity slip-ups from industry veterans.

4.     Music

Every Breath You Take, The Police

A classic rock hit with a subtle nod to data minimization commitment issues. “Every move you make / Every step you take / I’ll be watching you.”

Ain’t Nobody’s Business, Otis Spann

Otis Spann understands the value of privacy. Let this bluesy piece serenade your own moments of solitude this weekend.

Dangerous, Big Data

Navigating Big Data can be perilous without the right techniques. Explore the risks with this electronic gem.

Electric Eye, Judas Priest

Judas Priest paints a vivid picture of a surveillance state with this heavy metal anthem. “There is no true escape, I’m watching all the time.”

McMillan’s Privacy and Data Protection team provides organizations with practical guidance to help navigate the evolving framework for privacy and data protection in Canada. Sometimes we listen to music and watch movies. Happy Data Privacy Week from your McMillan advisors!    

[1] We recognize the irony of a team of privacy lawyers oversharing.

[2] These recommendations are content advice, not legal advice.