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?
One of the CBC stories mentioned that Elections Alberta salts their lists with a few fake names so they can trace leaks. Clever.
That’s brilliant! Kinda proud of them for doing things like that.
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.
Way before, with maps. Deliberate errors so you know you’ve been copied.
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.
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.