Calgary police suspend Crime Stoppers use following data breach - CityNews Calgary
The Calgary Police Service has temporarily suspended its use of Crime Stoppers following a data breach affecting the anonymous tip-reporting organization.
In a statement to CityNews, Calgary police said they have continued assessing the situation as new details emerge and have decided to stop using the service while exploring an alternative phone-based tip line.
The suspension comes after the Crime Stoppers data breach raised concerns about the security of information submitted through the independent crime-reporting organization.
Legal concerns raised
When asked whether any information submitted by tipsters connected to Calgary police investigations had been unlawfully accessed, the Calgary Police Service said Crime Stoppers operates independently and is responsible for managing its own databases.
The breach is now being investigated by Canada's Privacy Commissioner.
The incident could also raise legal questions for police agencies that promote the use of Crime Stoppers, according to Doug King, a justice studies professor at Mount Royal University.
You can well imagine though, that police agencies have some kind of legal liability if they've sponsored Crime Stoppers and their data has been breached and it's out in the general public.
Next steps
Police have not indicated how long the suspension will remain in place but say they are working to establish an interim phone-based option for members of the public who want to submit tips.
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