So I’m seeing some news (like this) saying that a database containing private information about Albertan voters got leaked to the Alberta separatists? And then the separatists made it into a searchable, public database? News outlets generally seem averse to speculation so none of them touch on how this happened.

So that’s my question: how could something like this happen? What went down?

  • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    17·
    29 days ago

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/elections-alberta-electors-database-9.7182667

    Court heard that an Elections Alberta investigation determined the list was legitimately provided to the Republican Party of Alberta, a provincial party founded in 2022 that supports Alberta independence.

    I feel like the exact how doesn’t really matter, but since you asked for speculation:

    Someone in the Republican Party probably got the list as part of the last election and decided to keep a copy. Then they either gave it to a pal at Centurian or they went to work for Centurian and brought the list.

    Someone unaware of election law thought they could use the database, so they did something obvious and made it searchable for their volunteers.

    Then one of their volunteers who was aware of election law saw how flagrant the violation was and told Elections Alberta.

    • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      17·
      29 days ago

      One of the CBC stories mentioned that Elections Alberta salts their lists with a few fake names so they can trace leaks. Clever.

        • nyan@lemmy.cafeEnglish
          7·
          29 days ago

          It’s a tactic with a long history—I think it started with paper publishers of dictionaries and encyclopedias in the 19th century, if not before.

          • Reannlegge@lemmy.ca
            3·
            28 days ago

            I had heard maps, even so much so that the google got caught up in it once. Because people are brilliant someone went and opened a bar at one of the sites, if I am remembering correctly.

        • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          6·
          29 days ago

          Elections Canada is pretty solid. I dealt with them for election and EDA stuff. They always seemed very competent, well meaning, and responsible. I wouldn’t be surprised if that attitude has spread to the provincial bodies as well.

      • sbv@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        28 days ago

        From the link above:

        The Alberta RCMP said it is investigating whether any offences were committed respecting the “dissemination or handling of the information” from the provincial voter list.

        …

        Elections Alberta said any person who contravenes the rules is guilty of an offence and liable to an administrative penalty of not more than $100,000 or, if convicted by a court, to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both a fine and imprisonment.

        Although they haven’t publicized suspected perps, it’s likely some people will be found over the course of the investigation.

        I don’t have a great deal of confidence in the RCMP, but it’s too soon to say no one is getting punished. Let’s see how the investigation turns out.