Ottawa's $9M hacking headache

Thursday, May 07, 2026

Written by Hanna Lee Copy Editor, Digital News

Good morning. The federal government is paying out nearly $9 million to settle a class-action lawsuit. We'll get into that below, as well as a look at the complexities of disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon, and why some Canadian students are weaning off their screens.

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Canadian government to pay $8.7M to settle data breach class action involving CRA accounts

Ottawa is paying $8.7 million to settle a class-action lawsuit involving tens of thousands of Canadians.

What's happening: Hackers targeted government accounts over several months in 2020, using real people's credentials to apply for financial aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, like the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit. In all, more than 47,000 people had their information compromised that summer alone, including social insurance numbers, home addresses and details of their bank accounts.

Why it matters: The agreement closes a years-long legal battle where victims claimed that failures from the government and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allowed at least three cyberattacks over the course of the year. Some say they are still dealing with the emotional and financial fallout of the incident, six years later. The Canadian government has previously denied wrongdoing in the case; the CRA hasn't responded to a request for comment.

Rhianna Schmunk has more

Why disarming Hezbollah is about much more than guns and rockets

Between a brutal Israeli military campaign and a belligerent, Iran-backed Hezbollah, Lebanon is squeezed between two extremes and at a breaking point. Its path forward is a dangerous gamble.

What's happening: The Lebanese government is attempting to disarm Hezbollah and assert state sovereignty after a fragile and often-violated April ceasefire with Israel. It eked out a minor win in April, when it cut Hezbollah out of negotiations with Israel and got the militant group to agree to follow the ceasefire deal at least partially. But progress beyond that has been difficult.

Why it matters: Hezbollah, born as a resistance movement in the chaos of Lebanon's civil war and the 1982 Israeli invasion, has become Tehran's most powerful proxy military. It's since evolved into a considerably powerful — albeit declining — political party in Lebanon's government. And for many Shia communities, it's also the main provider of security, health care and social services, which has helped establish loyalty. Lebanon now faces the considerable feat of disarming Hezbollah fighters without triggering another civil war.

Chris Brown's analysis has more

These students are being more mindful of smartphones, social media and tech use. Here's why

Not all young Canadians are screen zombies — some are opting for digital minimalism, of their own volition.

What's happening: Take Priscilla Ojomu, for example, a 24-year-old law student from Alberta. She left social media early in the COVID-19 pandemic, and says she's realized how much time she's gained from avoiding scrolling. Then there's Gavin MacNeil, 19, of Ottawa, who now uses a flip phone and says he feels calmer and more present — not to mention his navigation skills have improved.

Why it matters: Generation Z grew up in a web-focused world, inundated with social media and its consequent pressures to post and interact with others all the time. Some young people are recognizing their exhaustion and choosing to cut down, aware of the negative impact that excessive screen time can have on their mental health.

Jessica Wong has more