Iran spying: Canadian firm’s axed 2019 deal raises questions about working with regime
Global News
PortaOne disputes a new report saying it worked with Iranian telecom-involved surveillance, but purportedly leaked documents raise questions about the regime's spying apparatus.
A small Canadian telecom service firm is taking issue with a tech watchdog’s report that it discussed working with an alleged front company to help Iranian officials spy on civilians.
Citizen Lab, the Toronto-based digital and human rights organization, alleged in a Monday report that Port Coquitlam, B.C.-based PortaOne was involved in 2019 discussions to help set up a new mobile phone service in the Islamic Republic, which is now facing a massive wave of upheaval.
The Citizen Lab report, which was shared with Global News as well as journalism outlets in two other countries, suggested PortaOne discussed providing back-end services in 2019 to a new Iranian cell service provider.
But based on documents the Citizen Lab described as leaked emails and attachments, the new network was meant to be integrated into Iran’s surveillance state apparatus – with sensitive private information about users’ identities and mobile usage easily accessible to authorities.
PortaOne did not deny that an unnamed sales manager engaged in talks with Ariantel, the Tehran-based mobile provider, in 2018 and 2019, as alleged in the Citizen Lab report. But they said when the deal was submitted for approval, it was not with Ariantel – but a Portuguese-based company they allege was a front for the Iranian mobile provider.
“An immediate investigation by senior management revealed that (a) Portuguese company was a front for Ariantel,” the company said in a statement through their lawyer. PortaOne added that payment was returned and the contract was formally cancelled on Nov. 8, 2019.
“We have since had no involvement whatsoever with or supplied products or services to this Portuguese company, Ariantel … or any other Iranian company or entity. Consequently, any suggestion that PortaOne has supplied software … which is used to intercept or surveil calls in Iran is false.”
Ariantel did not respond to a detailed list of questions sent by Global News on Thursday.
Budget 2025 has $160 million for wildfire personnel, equipment, training and contracts, but the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees worries funds will focus on gear, not people.
Quebec provincial police, the fire department, paramedics and representatives from the group managing the bridge were called to the scene.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that tariffs on Canada and Mexico are still coming, but that President Donald Trump would determine the level of the levies.
Two men remain in critical condition following a home explosion Friday in Langley, B.C. One woman is still missing, and RCMP cannot confirm if she was in the home at the time.
After floating the idea of potential tariffs on lumber, President Donald Trump ordered a probe into U.S. imports that must be completed within 270 days.
Despite an explosive exchange in the Oval Office, the Kyiv-Washington relationship is not lost, analysts say, but future U.S. support in the war effort is still undetermined.
St. Mary's Academy says the decision to shutter the program was driven by operational and resource requirements.
A recent survey from CIBC said that two-thirds of Canadians say recent economic changes, including inflation and the cost of living, have made them adjust retirement plans.
A Halifax man died after he was taken into custody Friday night for what police described as a mental health episode. The provincial police watchdog is investigating.
A B.C. entrepreneur experienced a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter this week when a pod of dolphins chased him down while he was shooting a video on his personal watercraft.
A new idea has emerged in G7 capitals in recent years — using the cash in frozen Russian accounts, or interest earned on those accounts, to help fund Ukraine's defence.
As Ontario is still working to clean up after the back-to-back winter storms, cities like Waterloo and Toronto face challenges with snow storage facility infrastructure.
Transport Minister Anita Anand says she plans to run for re-election amid President Donald Trump's tariff threats, a shift from her original plans earlier this year.