Canada Takes Action to Strengthen Online Regulation and Target Search
and Social Media Algorithms
The Trudeau government is planning a potentially intrusive new regulation of AI when it comes to online searches and social media.
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(Reclaiming the network) - Canada is taking steps towards potentially intrusive regulation of artificial intelligence with respect to its application in search and social media services. The government's intentions have been revealed, including the application of AI far beyond the realm of generative AI, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. Industry giants such as Google and Facebook, which use AI for search results, translations and customer taste recognition, respectively, are among the competitors targeted by regulation, with the censorship-friendly government intending to have a say in how these algorithms work.
The information comes from Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), François-Philippe Champagne, in a letter submitted to the industry committee tasked with analyzing Bill C-27 – the AI Privacy Reform and Regulation Act. Specific amendments, however, remain immune from scrutiny because the government agency keeps the proposed changes secret.
We have obtained a copy of the original invoice for you here.
The current framework of Bill C-27 leaves it to future regulatory procedures to identify which AI mechanisms
can be categorized as "high impacts."
Bill C-27, by treating the results of research and social media as "high-impact" systems, is likely to raise eyebrows, as the government's drive to regulate technology has so far translated into the assertion of greater control over content and therefore speech.
Failure to comply with this proposal may result in penalties proportional to 3% of gross world revenues.
The legislation is venturing into controversial territory by unexpectedly introducing into the matrix the regulation of content moderation and prioritization of discoverability. She tries to draw a parallel between these issues and the accusation of bias in recruitment or when used by law enforcement, which is very surprising. As a result, Canada's rules, while purporting to align more closely with those of the EU, seem to distinguish the country, which leans more towards censorship and less towards freedom of expression.
This news comes on the heels of recent Canadian regulations on online services, which have sparked concern.
Bill C-11, also known as the Online StreamingAct and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which establishes a regulatory framework for digital streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify, requiring them to contribute to the creation and promotion of Canadian content. This Act empowers the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to regulate these platforms in the same manner as radio and television. Critics say it infringes on the right of Canadian citizens to choose the content they consume, which could lead to a form of censorship.
This also means that platforms, even those that host platforms, must register with the state.
The law has been dubbed a "censorship bill" by some critics, who say its wording is vague enough to allow government bureaucrats to secretly control content selection processes, potentially limiting Canadians' freedom of choice.
The bill uses the pretext of freedom of expression to enforce regulatory measures, stating that it will be implemented in a manner consistent with the freedom of expression and journalistic, creative and programming independence enjoyed by broadcasting undertakings.
In addition, Bill C-11, by updating the Broadcasting Act, subjects digital content creators to CRTC regulation, a measure seen as potentially stifling digital creators and a step towards online censorship. The debate around the bill, particularly its passage through the Senate, has raised concerns among some observers that it marks the beginning of a new era of internet censorship in Canada.
(Reclaiming the network) - Canada is taking steps towards potentially intrusive regulation of artificial intelligence with respect to its application in search and social media services. The government's intentions have been revealed, including the application of AI far beyond the realm of generative AI, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. Industry giants such as Google and Facebook, which use AI for search results, translations and customer taste recognition, respectively, are among the competitors targeted by regulation, with the censorship-friendly government intending to have a say in how these algorithms work.
The information comes from Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), François-Philippe Champagne, in a letter submitted to the industry committee tasked with analyzing Bill C-27 – the AI Privacy Reform and Regulation Act. Specific amendments, however, remain immune from scrutiny because the government agency keeps the proposed changes secret.
We have obtained a copy of the original invoice for you here.
The current framework of Bill C-27 leaves it to future regulatory procedures to identify which AI mechanisms
can be categorized as "high impacts."
Bill C-27, by treating the results of research and social media as "high-impact" systems, is likely to raise eyebrows, as the government's drive to regulate technology has so far translated into the assertion of greater control over content and therefore speech.
Failure to comply with this proposal may result in penalties proportional to 3% of gross world revenues.
The legislation is venturing into controversial territory by unexpectedly introducing into the matrix the regulation of content moderation and prioritization of discoverability. She tries to draw a parallel between these issues and the accusation of bias in recruitment or when used by law enforcement, which is very surprising. As a result, Canada's rules, while purporting to align more closely with those of the EU, seem to distinguish the country, which leans more towards censorship and less towards freedom of expression.
This news comes on the heels of recent Canadian regulations on online services, which have sparked concern.
Bill C-11, also known as the Online StreamingAct and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which establishes a regulatory framework for digital streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify, requiring them to contribute to the creation and promotion of Canadian content. This Act empowers the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to regulate these platforms in the same manner as radio and television. Critics say it infringes on the right of Canadian citizens to choose the content they consume, which could lead to a form of censorship.
This also means that platforms, even those that host platforms, must register with the state.
The law has been dubbed a "censorship bill" by some critics, who say its wording is vague enough to allow government bureaucrats to secretly control content selection processes, potentially limiting Canadians' freedom of choice.
The bill uses the pretext of freedom of expression to enforce regulatory measures, stating that it will be implemented in a manner consistent with the freedom of expression and journalistic, creative and programming independence enjoyed by broadcasting undertakings.
In addition, Bill C-11, by updating the Broadcasting Act, subjects digital content creators to CRTC regulation, a measure seen as potentially stifling digital creators and a step towards online censorship. The debate around the bill, particularly its passage through the Senate, has raised concerns among some observers that it marks the beginning of a new era of internet censorship in Canada.
