CRTC executes warrant in malicious malware investigation

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that it executed a warrant under Canada's anti-spam legislation (CASL) at two locations in the Niagara region of Ontario.

The warrant was obtained as part of an ongoing investigation relating to the installation of malicious software (malware) and the alteration of transmission data. The CRTC launched its investigation further to a lead from FireEye Inc., a vendor specializing in cyber threat protection and forensics.

The CRTC takes online threats very seriously and is working closely with its domestic and international partners, including law enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue investigations of alleged violations under Canada's anti-spam legislation.

Canadians are encouraged to report spam, malware and other electronic threats to the Spam Reporting Centre. The information sent to the Centre is used by the CRTC, the Competition Bureau and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to enforce Canada's anti-spam legislation.

The CRTC does not comment on active investigations, nor does it name the individuals or companies under investigation.

Quick Facts

• Canada's anti-spam legislation protects Canadians while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace.
• The CRTC has a number of enforcement tools at its disposal and is using cyber investigative techniques to investigate alleged violations of Canada's anti-spam legislation.
• The warrant was granted by a Justice of the Peace, from the Ontario Court of Justice, and was executed with the assistance of police officers.
• This is the second time a warrant has been executed since Canada's anti-spam legislation came into force in 2014 and the malware provisions which came into force in January 2015.

Quote

"We are working to protect Canadians from online threats by pursuing those individuals and entities who violate Canada's anti-spam legislation. We are grateful for the assistance that FireEye Inc. provided which led to the execution of this warrant, and we will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners in the fight against cyber threats."

Manon Bombardier, CRTC Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer

Associated Links

• Spam Reporting Centre
• How do I know if Canada's Anti-spam legislation applies to my business or organization?
• Information session on Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation
• Guidelines to help businesses develop corporate compliance programs: Information Bulletin CRTC 2014-326
• Guideline3s on the use of toggling as a means of obtaining express consent under Canada's anti-spam legislation: Information Bulletin CRTC 2012-549
• Guidelines on the interpretation of the Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations: Information Bulletin CRTC 2012-548

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Contacts: Media Relations, [phone]; General Inquiries: [phone], Toll-free 1 (877) 249-CRTC (2782), TTY [phone]