#tech-policy

The Canadian federal government's proposed Online Harms Act, Bill C-63, aims to create a safer online environment by compelling digital platforms to remove harmful content, particularly material victimizing children and promoting hate. Tabled in February 2024, the legislation would establish a new Digital Safety Commission with significant enforcement powers. However, the bill has ignited a fierce debate, with critics from civil liberties groups, tech companies, and legal experts raising serious concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression, its broad definitions of harm, and the risk of government overreach.

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.