Acknowledgments

The idea for this book emerged from the fertile mind of Self-Counsel Press’ former Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Kirk LaPointe. His idea was for Jim and I to write a companion to our first book, Your Right to Know: How to Use the Law to Get Government Secrets. His thinking? The right to privacy is the flip side of the right to information. The rationale was as compelling as it was unassailable. This book just had to be written. So I would like to thank Kirk for convincing two initially reluctant and busy working journalists, teachers, and family men to assume this task.

Also deserving of my gratitude is Dr. Ann Cavoukian, whose words grace the book’s foreword. She has been a steady, knowledgeable, and passionate voice for privacy rights dating back to her tenure as Ontario’s Privacy Commissioner, and now as the Executive Director of Ryerson University’s Big Data Institute.

I would also like to thank all the whip-smart experts who patiently guided us through the research and fielded persistent queries about the intricacies of balancing the reasonable expectation of privacy with the need to surrender personal information in order to enjoy the benefits of life in an increasingly connected world.

I would like to, as I always do, thank my wife, Deirdre; son, Jordan; daughters, Hannah Rose and Leila; and son-in-law Scott, whose love fuels the energy and passion needed to take on these projects. Finally, I want to acknowledge the latest addition to our family, my granddaughter, Nylah Violet. May she grow up in a world that embraces the ideals that fill the pages in this book — our right to privacy.

— DM

I would also like to commend Kirk LaPointe for his confidence in us and his belief in the need for such a guide. Special thanks go to David for his willingness to explore new terrain with his customary curiosity and enthusiasm. Thanks also to Tanya Lee Howe for her valuable contributions to organizing and presenting our thoughts.

I came to the project with the advantage of much help over the years from so many people who have informed my reporting on privacy and surveillance issues — to them I express sincere appreciation. Anne-Marie Hayden and her indefatigable team at the federal privacy commissioner’s office deserve praise for ably fielding my steady stream of questions. I am also greatly indebted to Colin Bennett, Gus Hosein, and Vincent Gogolek for the insights that greatly enliven the pages that follow.

Finally, I thank Lucianne, Adam, and Rose for their patience, support, and understanding, without which this book could not have been written.

— JB