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Privacy advocates make it easier to find out what information ISPs and cell phone companies have about you

Do you want to know what information your cell phone or Internet provider has about you?

Have they shared said data with police or any government agency?

Wouldn't it be interesting to find out?

Academics and privacy advocates have collaborated to create an online tool that makes it easy for Canadians to get that information.

Specifically, according to OpenMedia, the Access My Info tool enables Canadians to create a formal letter that compels telecom providers to explain what information it collects about you, why, and with whom that information might have been shared with.

[ Related: Privacy battle heats up over three controversial bills that allow more snooping ]

The tool comes on the heels of the public outcry over privacy rights in this country.

The Tories are pushing three bills through the legislative process — Bills S-4, C-13 and C-31 — which critics say will reduce our privacy by giving police and other authorities more snooping powers with regard to our online activities.

It also comes just days after the landmark Supreme Court decision last week, which bars internet service providers from disclosing Internet customers’ identities to law enforcement officials without a warrant.

Last April, Canada's privacy commissioner raised alarm bells suggesting that the federal government asks Canadian telecom companies for private customer information about 1.2 million times every year. It's unclear how many of those requests came without a warrant.

At least two ISPs — Rogers and Tek Savvy — have have since released detailed reports about the number and type of requests made to them.

You can try Access My Info here. Telecom providers apparently are obligated to respond to you within 30 days.

An excerpt from the form letter created using the online tool:

I am requesting a copy of all records which contain my personal information from your organization. The following is a non-exclusive listing of all information that Rogers may hold about me, including the following:

(Image courtesy of CBC)

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