Hiding research from the U.S.

The increased intensity in the Patriot Act in the U.S. may have an unintended side effect when it comes to Canadian research. Quite a few Canadian universities are changing their online research efforts.

The Patriot Act potentially allows U.S. authorities to sweep through databases such as RefWorks. Switching to a Canadian server, such as one housed at the University of Toronto, works around that issue.

RefWorks is a popular U.S.-based Internet tool that allows for personal accounts and the ability to store research information, as well as generate citations and bibliographies.

The Patriot Act allows for searches without letting the party know of the search. That frightens Canadian researchers.

Canadian authorities could still investigate the Canadian servers, but would feel protected by judicial oversight.