#digital-regulation

The Canadian federal government has introduced Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, a comprehensive legislative framework aimed at enhancing online safety, particularly for children, and combating harmful content like hate speech and non-consensual intimate images. The bill proposes creating a new Digital Safety Commission to regulate online platforms and introduces significant amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act. While proponents argue it's a necessary step to hold tech giants accountable, the legislation has ignited a fierce national debate, with critics raising serious concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression.

The Canadian government's Online Harms Act, Bill C-63, aims to create a safer online environment by compelling digital platforms to remove harmful content, particularly that targeting children. The legislation proposes a new Digital Safety Commission and introduces severe penalties for hate speech, including life imprisonment for advocating genocide. However, the bill has ignited a fierce debate, with critics from civil liberties groups and legal experts raising significant concerns about its potential to stifle free speech, its broad definitions of 'harm,' and the risk of government overreach, setting the stage for a contentious legislative battle.