Philippe Dufresne told the House ethics committee that he learned from media reports that the federal police force was using the technology, after Politico reported it in July. The RCMP is scheduled to brief the commissioner later this month. Dufresne was speaking at the House of Commons ethics committee on Monday. (The Canadian Press, Politico)

Talking point: The RCMP can use the technology to secretly and remotely install software on mobile devices, which it can then use to access messages and turn on cameras or microphones. The police service originally said it had done so in 10 investigations between 2018 and 2020. But in filings to the committee, it put the figure at 32 investigations and 49 devices since 2017. Dufresne, whose role began in June, did not say whether the technology is being used in a way that sufficiently protects privacy, deferring that judgment until the force provides more information. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino was testifying before the committee as this newsletter went to press, with more hearings scheduled for Tuesday.