Global National: Aug. 8, 2022 | Canada's RCMP used spyware capable of controlling cellphones

On this episode of Global National: The RCMP has revealed its once-secret spyware allowed investigators to listen to or even take control of Canadians' mobile phones. Mercedes Stephenson explains the controversial capabilities of the technology, how often the Mounties said they've used it, and how it's raising privacy concerns.

Hundreds of homes in Newfoundland and Labrador are now under evacuation alerts, as the province experiences its worst wildfire situation in more than 50 years. Abigail Bimman looks at the toll on vulnerable residents, and how help from beyond the province is pouring in.

As extreme heat warnings blanket various parts of Canada, the sweltering conditions could prove dangerous for some people. Jamie Mauracher looks at the health hazards of high temperatures, and why Canadians need to better prepare for them.

There are signs Washington is getting more serious about climate change, after the U.S. Senate voted to pass long-sought legislation that will pour billions of dollars into clean energy. Jackson Proskow explains why the so-called "Inflation Reduction Act" is a big win for President Joe Biden.

As the airline industry grapples with pandemic-fuelled travel chaos, from lost luggage to staff shortages, Australian airline Qantas is trying to solve it by asking its senior executives to temporarily become baggage handlers. Redmond Shannon explains why some critics aren't on board with the request.

Widely known for her role as Sandy in the smash hit musical "Grease" and a slew of songs that topped the pop charts, actor and Grammy-winning singer Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73. And as Eric Sorensen explains, her legacy went well beyond the entertainment world.

#GlobalNews #globalnational #rcmp

[mikeveledian]

It's time for rest of Canada to wake up once and for all !

[thebalanceofjudgement]

RCMP says it's not using controversial Pegasus spyware to covertly access cellphones, which means they most definitely are!!

[MollyMarine]

If Canadians only knew the full extent...there would be convoys in every province, coast to coast. This is not the Canada we grew up in

[siarmadillo]

Basically cops do what they want without any restrictions. Now be a good citizen and think of how your master keeps you safe

[shawnb]

Just one more reason to not trust the corrupt rcmp.

[MrKansaitim]

You mean the police break the law??!!! What a

[jamesmcdonald]

I totally trust the corrupt governments police force not to abuse this tech lol 😂

[zeusvalentine]

It's ok, even expected. I stopped feeling free in this country 30 years ago

[therealbrylenolstrikesagai]

Anyone okay with governments having this much power is a fascist.

[doubledragon]

Edward Snowden has told you all about this already, they literally made a movie about it called "snowden" lol

[ghostrider]

They seem to have forgotten that there are many of us that know more about them than they do about us 😁

[lukewarmwater]

An ugly fog has settled over the globe in the past ten years or so, something is on the horizon for us and it's not going to be pretty...

[homer]

What's amazing is that RCMP has the judicial thumps up for its spying activity. Wow the court allowed it!!

[vlogospheer]

Trudeau has already proven there’s no length he wouldn’t go to persecute those who oppose him so we should all be very worried about this cellphone monitoring program.

[kittyfan]

once i was driving down the highway listening to the radio, when the weatherman suddenly said "you know, i'd have more confidence in computer models of climate change if we got the 5 day forecast right more often...."

[jrb_sland]

I'm a 74 year old man in B.C. I don't own a cellphone, smart or not. I have a perfectly satisfactory land-line, & if I don't pick up when you call, my phone will let you leave me a message. If the RCMP want to listen to my phone chats, they'll need authorization for a classical wiretap. So slow, so antique! I'd be more concerned to learn that they have a way to see my emails, for reasons of business privacy, but I'm always prepared to fall back on physical letters via the post office. In extremity, you & I can go for a walk in a nearby park where we can whisper to each other... Life gets more interesting every day!

[Cee]

Stingray I, II, odus, and Pegasus have been in use since the early 2000 if I'm not mistaken

[michellehedquist]

Because the Trudeau Government told them to. Why do you think his friend Brenda Lucky was hired in the first place. Another one of Trudeau’s well played plans.

[deepthoughts]

COMMIEVILLE IS COMING TO TOWN unless we all pull a SRI LANKA in every province I’m down

[hardracerone]

Is this north Korea? There's a very fuzzy grey threshold between law enforcement and criminality...