Online Harms Act

‘Without consequence’: Intelligence memos warn of runaway political violence online – National

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‘Without consequence’: Intelligence memos warn of runaway political violence online – National

The torrent of online threats against public officials has led some Canadians to believe they can threaten, encourage and cheer on political violence with impunity, newly released government documents warn. Canadian intelligence officials say threatening rhetoric is increasingly seen as a legitimate way to express frustrations, grievances and dissent, fuelling a surge of often violent … Read more

Online Harms Act regulators will cost about $200 million over five years: PBO – National

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Online Harms Act regulators will cost about 0 million over five years: PBO – National

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The parliamentary budget officer estimates that staffing up the new regulators in the Liberals’ Online Harms Act will cost around $200 million over five years. The federal government wants to establish a Digital Safety Commission to regulate social-media companies and force them to limit harmful content online. … Read more

Italy’s PM is suing over deepfake porn. Could it happen in Canada? – National

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Italy’s PM is suing over deepfake porn. Could it happen in Canada? – National

The Italian prime minister is suing a man for allegedly creating a pornographic deepfake of her and uploading it to a U.S. website where it was reportedly viewed millions of times. Deepfakes, which are realistic simulations of people commonly used to make fake pornographic videos showing female celebrities or politicians, are becoming a growing concern … Read more

Will the online harms bill make platforms safer? Canadians split in poll – National

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Will the online harms bill make platforms safer? Canadians split in poll – National

Fewer than half of Canadians believe the federal government’s plan to regulate social media sites will make platforms safer, a new survey suggests. Polling firm Leger recently asked Canadians about the Liberal government’s proposed Online Harms Act, which contains a suite of measures meant to make social media platforms safer, particularly for children. Half of … Read more

Online Harms Act not about ‘insults launched from a smartphone’: minister – National

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Online Harms Act not about ‘insults launched from a smartphone’: minister – National

Justice Minister Arif Virani is defending against criticism that the Liberals’ sweeping new online harms bill could have a chilling effect on free speech. Virani says the legislation is not about censoring “insults launched from a smartphone” but instead giving victims and law enforcement more tools to respond to a rising tide of hate in … Read more

Meta open to Online Harms Act talks, Pornhub reviewing legislation – National

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Meta open to Online Harms Act talks, Pornhub reviewing legislation – National

One of the largest social media companies, Meta says it is open to talks with Ottawa on the Online Harms Act, while the pornography website Pornhub says it is reviewing the legislation. The Online Harms Act is a sweeping piece of legislation introduced Monday that primarily tasks online platforms with a duty to protect users … Read more