Latest news with #KatieWood
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
What is Zoom bombing? Ontario bans public attendance from virtual courtrooms citing rise in intrusions
An increase in cyber harassment and hijacking of court proceedings, known as 'Zoom bombing,' has prompted Ontario to ban the public from attending virtually. A memo was sent last Wednesday by the province's assistant deputy attorney general Katie Wood to court staff across Ontario saying the public will no longer be permitted to observe court proceedings virtually, according to a CBC report . 'If the public would like to attend, they will be required to do so in person,' the memo said, according to that reporting. This, according to the CBC report, was prompted by a spike in 'Zoom bombing incidents' that saw virtual intruders display 'offensive content and targeted behaviour' that interrupted proceedings. The province's justice landscape underwent a drastic transformation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to courts switching to remote hearings using meeting platforms like Zoom. Despite the convenience, the move to online proceedings has raised concerns about increasing incidents of Zoom bombing. The report indicates the ban is in effect for the Ontario Court of Justice. Zoom bombing is the act of disrupting online meetings that have been shared publicly. It involves internet trolls crashing Zoom meetings with displays of pornographic or hate images and threatening language, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In Ontario, virtual court proceedings and local government meetings have been derailed by participants who unmute themselves to make offensive comments or hijack screens to display disturbing images and words. A 2024 memo from Tribunals Ontario said disruptions during an event or proceeding 'which could include lewd or obscene behaviour such as shouting, screaming or making threats, broadcasting sexually explicit sounds, images, or videos' may lead the Tribunals Ontario adjudicators or staff to ban the intruder from rejoining and further actions if the disruption is perceived as a threat. Only the host or co-host can remove people from a meeting. To do this, the host can use the participant list within the meeting interface. Tap 'more' or the three dots next to the participant's name in the participant list to see additional actions. Then select remove, and confirm the removal when prompted. After reports of an increase in Zoom bombing from the University of Toronto community, U of T issued a list of best practices to protect against this type of disruption including: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zoom-bombing concerns prompt Ontario to halt full public access to virtual court
An increasing number of Zoom bombings infiltrating Ontario courtrooms now means the public is banned from attending proceedings virtually. On Wednesday, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Katie Wood sent a memo to court staff across the province saying "the public will not be permitted to observe proceedings virtually." "If the public would like to attend, they will be required to do so in person," the memo said. Virtual court hearings became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic that set in over five years ago, and since then, more concerns have been raised about Zoom bombings. Typically, it's when participants in a video conferencing meeting have had their screens hijacked by someone who's placed words and images on the screen or disrupted the call's audio. Wood's memo noted there's been a notable rise in "Zoom-bombing incidents ... involving offensive content and targeted behaviour that have disrupted court proceedings." Gytis Pabedinskas, a Windsor defence lawyer, has been in court on two occasions when Zoom bombers appeared. "When the account went in, it started playing a pornographic [video] as well as had some audio playing where it was calling the judge an N-word," said Pabedinskas. Even though these incidents are disturbing, local defence lawyer Laura Joy said the courts could have better utilized technology to prevent interruptions instead of instituting a virtual ban for the public. "I understand why they're doing it, but I'm very hopeful that everybody will keep in mind the fundamental cornerstone of Canadian justice is transparency and open courts to the public," said Joy. Concerns over removing public virtual access Noel Semple, an associate professor in the University of Windsor's faculty of law, also said removing the public's virtual access to courtrooms is problematic. "The open court principle is quite foundational in the Canadian legal system. Justice is not supposed to be in private, in darkened back rooms. It's supposed to be done in public. We should be doing everything we can to honour that principle." Victims or complainants who want to appear virtually for their court matters must seek prior approval, Wood's memo says. The media also must get permission before observing court virtually. The memo goes on to warn court staff about "Zoom bomber tactics," such as them posing as correctional institutions, interpreters or even police departments. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General noted the observer policy is available online and members of the public are permitted to attend court, in person. 'Come on down to the courthouse' Defence lawyer Linda McCurdy applauds Zoom access being removed for observers. McCurdy has been practising law for nearly 30 years, while virtual court only materialized in recent years. "I don't view it at all as restricting or taking away something," she said about Wood's announcement. "It's making sure that the court process is protecting from the kind of stuff that's going on. "If you want to participate, if you want to view, come on down to the courthouse," she added. Since the pandemic, she's seen formalities slip. McCurdy said she's been in court when witnesses attending virtually are laying in bed or walking their dog, or an observer was heard going to the bathroom. "They don't really take it seriously."
CBC
22-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Zoom-bombing concerns prompt Ontario to halt full public access to virtual court
Social Sharing An increasing number of Zoom bombings infiltrating Ontario courtrooms now means the public is banned from attending proceedings virtually. On Wednesday, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Katie Wood sent a memo to court staff across the province saying "the public will not be permitted to observe proceedings virtually." "If the public would like to attend, they will be required to do so in person," the memo said. Virtual court hearings became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic that set in over five years ago, and since then, more concerns have been raised about Zoom bombings. Typically, it's when participants in a video conferencing meeting have had their screens hijacked by someone who's placed words and images on the screen or disrupted the call's audio. Wood's memo noted there's been a notable rise in "Zoom-bombing incidents ... involving offensive content and targeted behaviour that have disrupted court proceedings." Gytis Pabedinskas, a Windsor defence lawyer, has been in court on two occasions when Zoom bombers appeared. "When the account went in, it started playing a pornographic [video] as well as had some audio playing where it was calling the judge an N-word," said Pabedinskas. Even though these incidents are disturbing, local defence lawyer Laura Joy said the courts could have better utilized technology to prevent interruptions instead of instituting a virtual ban for the public. "I understand why they're doing it, but I'm very hopeful that everybody will keep in mind the fundamental cornerstone of Canadian justice is transparency and open courts to the public," said Joy. Concerns over removing public virtual access Noel Semple, an associate professor in the University of Windsor's faculty of law, also said removing the public's virtual access to courtrooms is problematic. "The open court principle is quite foundational in the Canadian legal system. Justice is not supposed to be in private, in darkened back rooms. It's supposed to be done in public. We should be doing everything we can to honour that principle." Victims or complainants who want to appear virtually for their court matters must seek prior approval, Wood's memo says. The media also must get permission before observing court virtually. The memo goes on to warn court staff about "Zoom bomber tactics," such as them posing as correctional institutions, interpreters or even police departments. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General noted the observer policy is available online and members of the public are permitted to attend court, in person. 'Come on down to the courthouse' Defence lawyer Linda McCurdy applauds Zoom access being removed for observers. McCurdy has been practising law for nearly 30 years, while virtual court only materialized in recent years. "I don't view it at all as restricting or taking away something," she said about Wood's announcement. "It's making sure that the court process is protecting from the kind of stuff that's going on. "If you want to participate, if you want to view, come on down to the courthouse," she added. Since the pandemic, she's seen formalities slip. McCurdy said she's been in court when witnesses attending virtually are laying in bed or walking their dog, or an observer was heard going to the bathroom. "They don't really take it seriously."
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
University investigating student complaint over Palestinian fundraiser
Katie Wood, president of the society and organiser of the bake sale, said staff approached their stall and told them the items breached university policy and had prompted 'numerous complaints,' including one suggesting 'there will be trouble' if the students were not removed. Emails obtained by The Herald and Liberty Investigates reveal that the university also attempted to prevent the flag from being present at another bake sale fundraiser for a Palestinian charity, scheduled to be held by the University and College Union (UCU) 10 days later, in an 'attempt to avoid a similar issue.' HWU eventually allowed the flag to be flown after a UCU member questioned whether prohibiting the Palestinian flag was discriminatory. A HWU spokesperson said it would be investigating the 31 January bake sale event to 'establish a full set of circumstances' and that it would be 'inappropriate to comment' while this is ongoing. Students lodged a formal complaint against university staff for the handling of controversy surrounding a fundraising event. (Image: Garrett Baylor Stell) Ms Wood told The Herald she and her fellow students were left feeling 'targeted and uncomfortable' after staff allegedly threatened to use force to remove them if they did not comply with requests to remove their Palestinian flag and leaflets. She provided documents showing that she had given the university nine days' notice when submitting a request to book a stall for a 'bake sale to raise donations for a Palestinian charity,' which was approved. Yet on the day of the event, Ms Wood said two members of the university's Safeguarding team told them to remove the flag, allegedly saying it was 'university policy that no political messaging was allowed.' Read more: Ms Wood told the Herald: 'The Palestinian flag is not inherently political, any more than any other flag at any event would be. Attempting to remove the flag is discriminatory towards Palestinian students, as it implies their existence is inherently political and they are not welcome or safe on campus.' "The members running the stall at the time asked why they were being told to remove the flag and leaflets, they were told that it was university policy that no political messaging was allowed, citing that the word "Genocide" on the leaflets was political, and so was the flag. "The members were also informed that the safeguarding members had received 'numerous' complaints, including one asking for us to be removed, saying 'or there will be trouble.' Ms Wood added: 'This was extremely concerning that we would receive a threat such as this, and that the safeguarding member took this to us instead of dealing with the student threatening our safety. "This seems to show a great flaw in their approach to solving conflicts and harassment.' Ms Wood said the students eventually decided to comply with the requests to remove the items in question so they could continue with their fundraiser. 'After continued attempts to reason, the safeguarding members threatened that if we did not comply, we would be 'removed by force.' 'We have been part of and have ran this same event before several times and have never faced this reaction. This is disappointing, and has made us feel targeted and uncomfortable within our university.' They put away the flag, and handed out leaflets only to students who asked. Heriot-Watt University is investigating whether Safeguarding staff ordered students to take down a Palestinian flag because it violated university policy. (Image: Garrett Baylor Stell) Ms Wood said that she and her fellow students asked for the names of the Safeguarding staff in order to file a complaint, but staff allegedly refused to identify themselves. A HWU spokesperson said: 'On Wednesday 16 July, we received a formal complaint relating to a bake sale event that took place at our Edinburgh campus on 31 January 2025. "An investigation will now be carried out in line with our Complaints Handling Procedure (CHP) to establish the full set of circumstances. While the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." Emails disclosed under freedom of information laws reveal that university staff discussed the SPS bake sale 'incident' as they debated how to handle a similar event being held by the local branch of the UCU. A staff member wrote, on 5 February 2025, that 'in an attempt to avoid a similar issue," they had contacted the UCU organisers to request that they 'didn't provide a flag and that any literature provided reflects University policies.' According to the email, this 'inadvertently caused an issue.' The email quotes a response from someone connected to the UCU fundraiser, who questioned the justification for banning the flag. 'I have never seen any literature stating that national flags are not permitted … If you could point me in the direction of any relevant literature, I would be grateful. 'I will also check with UCU as it is important not to have discriminatory situation where the Palestinian flag is the ONLY [sic] one that is not allowed on campus.' People close to the event told The Herald the Palestinian flag was allowed at the UCU fundraiser. The revelations come days after it was revealed that HWU agreed to a request from defence company Raytheon UK to monitor students for signs of potential protest activity targeting a career fair held last February. Raytheon UK's requests – which HWU staff agreed to in an email – included monitoring students' online chats before the event, actively monitoring CCTV and carrying out 'enhanced patrols' during the fair in order to spot signs of students gathering and 'act as a deterrent' to help safeguard the Raytheon UK employees. The university denied involvement in improper monitoring. 'Heriot-Watt University categorically denies any suggestion of improper monitoring of our community. These allegations completely misrepresent the way the University operates. 'For absolute clarity, our Safeguarding team does not have access to student chat rooms or online discussion forums, nor would they ever be expected or requested by the University to monitor them.
The National
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Heriot-Watt University agreed to monitor students for arms firm
Emails obtained under freedom of information laws and reported by The Herald and Liberty Investigates reveal how Heriot-Watt University staff agreed to implement a range of security measures requested by defence firm Raytheon UK ahead of a campus careers fair. These included monitoring student chat groups and discussion forums for talk of any planned protest, monitoring CCTV for signs of groups gathering, and having an "enhanced" physical presence on the day to "help safeguard the Raytheon employees attending". The requests were being made of the university's safeguarding team, first aid and mental health first aid trained campus officers. READ MORE: How arms firms are buying exclusive access to MPs for as little as £1499 In response, a HWU staff member said they would implement the additional security measures. Katie Wood, a HWU student and president of the Society for Progressive Students, said that she was 'disappointed and ashamed' by the university's response to Raytheon UK's requests. "My immediate reaction is that the safeguarding team are in place at the university to protect the students and not the profits of arms companies. "This kind of move damages the trust that students have in safeguarding about their ability to make decisions that will protect students and put them first. "As a student, I would have respected them more if they had just said, 'That's not within our capabilities, that's not something we're going to actively do, but if something happens on campus, we'll be there to deal with any situation that arises.'" Heriot-Watt University is under pressure after the reports (Image: Garrett Baylor Stell) Despite not challenging Raytheon's requests at the time, a university spokesperson told The Herald that the safeguarding team "does not have access to or monitor any student chat groups or online discussion forums". They said: 'Our safeguarding team routinely checks physical notice boards on campus. This is part of their regular responsibilities to ensure that all displayed materials align with our university's values. 'In the event of a protest or demonstration, the role of our safeguarding team is to observe and support the safety and wellbeing of all participants.' On February 20, the university hosted two defence companies at its student careers fair, Raytheon UK and Leonardo, both of which make parts for the type of F-35 fighter jets used by the Israeli military, according to research by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade. Neither company replied to questions about their connection to jets used for bombings in Gaza, but both have been the subject of demonstrations against their involvement in weapons manufacturing and, more recently, connections to technology used in the war in Gaza. On January 31, Raytheon UK's security manager asked the HWU safeguarding team to monitor CCTV for signs of students gathering to protest and to conduct enhanced patrols to 'show a presence and act as a deterrent.' READ MORE: 'Why must Palestinians pay?': Holocaust survivor speaks out on Gaza genocide The Raytheon UK employee wrote that the company's presence on campuses has previously drawn "unwanted attention from protest groups, including university students' and requested help ahead of the February careers event. Raytheon UK's attendance was not advertised prior to the event, according to the email. The Raytheon UK employee asked HWU to implement additional measures, including three specific requests of the safeguarding team: "Monitor the university chat groups and notice boards in the lead up to the event in case any groups are planning to disrupt the event, as we have had this occasionally at university events in the past." "Monitor the campus CCTV prior to and during the event in case any groups are seen gathering that may be intent on a protest or simply disrupting the event." "Prior to and during the event carry out enhanced patrols around the venue entrance and perhaps enter the venue occasionally to show a presence and act as a deterrent." The Raytheon UK employee added that they had no information to suggest any protest or disruption was planned, nor did they provide examples of their employees being subjected to unlawful protest on other campuses. On February 5, in response to Raytheon UK's requests, a HWU employee said: "Not a problem, we will support this event in the same way as last year and to [sic] implement the measures you have suggested. 'If there is anything else we can assist with this, then please do not hesitate to let me know." There was no demonstration during the career event in question. When asked if university staff followed through on Raytheon UK's requests, a HWU spokesperson told The Herald that the university is "proud of its safeguarding service, and it is good practice to assess safety measures for campus events, with our safeguarding and estates teams playing a key role in this process". They added: "We reject any allegation that the university was involved in improper monitoring of any members of our community." 'The safeguarding team provides 24/7 support for students, staff and visitors on campus, including incident response, first aid, mental health support, and overall campus safety. Their role is to protect and support our community, as the wellbeing of our students and staff is of paramount importance to us. "Heriot-Watt University fully supports the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest, provided these activities are conducted lawfully and within the framework of University policies. 'Like all universities, we must balance this right with our responsibility to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and uninterrupted academic experience of the wider community. 'In the event of a protest or demonstration, the role of our safeguarding team is to observe and support the safety and wellbeing of all participants.' The university did not provide further comment when asked why it did not explicitly refuse to monitor student chats, given it has since said that staff do not have access to such groups. In the email exchange between the Raytheon UK employee and HWU, safety concerns are only referenced in relation to Raytheon employees. All references to HWU students or potential protestors are in the context of possible 'disruption' or 'unwanted attention". The university's spokesperson did not reply when asked whether supporting the safety and wellbeing of demonstrators included discouraging demonstrations from taking place. A Raytheon UK spokesperson said that it works with hosts to conduct thorough security assessments on behalf of all participants ahead of any career event. They added: 'Raytheon UK, like other large employers, regularly meets with university students interested in exploring aerospace careers. "Raytheon UK is proud to be a longstanding employer in the United Kingdom with pathways to robust careers in advanced technology.' Raytheon UK's website describes the company as 'focused on Defence, Aerospace, Cyber and Intelligence with sites across the UK". In the email to HWU, the Raytheon UK employee indicated that the company's status as 'one of the biggest defence industry companies in the world' is the reason it sometimes draws protests from student groups. Raytheon UK did not reply when asked if it only discussed careers in its aerospace with attendees, and not any careers connected to weapons systems or defence more broadly. Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), which represents a wide range of university staff in the UK, expressed concern over the university's relationship with Raytheon UK. 'It is bad enough that Heriot-Watt, while touting its positive role on the global stage, is inviting an arms company like Raytheon onto campus. 'That the university's bosses are also spying on their own students on the company's behalf is a scandal and plumbs new depths. 'Heriot-Watt must stop colluding with arms companies and protect democratic space for students to protest against genocide and crimes against humanity.'
