“In a bold move to combat online abuse, Canada has introduced a new bill that comes with steep penalties for hate crimes – even including life imprisonment for inciting genocide. The proposed Online Harms Act puts the pressure on social media platforms to swiftly remove harmful content, such as those that sexualize children, within just 24 hours. This legislation is a significant step towards regulating social media companies, live streaming platforms, and websites featuring user-uploaded adult content.
Seven categories of harmful content have been identified by the bill, ranging from posts that bully children to those that promote self-harm. There is a clear line drawn by this proposed Act, calling for a “digital safety commission of Canada” to oversee the regulation of online platforms. Justice Minister Arif Virani emphasized the real-world impacts of online harms and the urgent need for action in a news conference on Monday, stating that much of these harms currently go unchecked.
However, this bill still has hurdles to overcome. It must be reviewed by a parliamentary committee and the Senate, both of which could potentially introduce changes to its final version. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration is also looking to amend the criminal code, increasing penalties for hate crimes and introducing a new offense punishable by up to life imprisonment for incitement of genocide. Additionally, changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act are on the horizon to classify hate speech as discrimination.
While the online safety bill was promised by the ruling Liberal Party after the 2021 election, not everyone is pleased with the timing. Leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, points out the harm caused by government inaction, particularly in regard to online exploitation of children. On the other hand, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has voiced opposition, criticizing the bill as a tool for censorship of political speech under Justin Trudeau’s leadership.
This move by Canada aligns with recent legislative trends worldwide, with countries like the UK, Australia, and France also implementing laws to address online hate speech. The growing tension between the Canadian government and social media companies regarding another law related to paying news publishers reflects the evolving landscape of online content regulation.
As Canada takes a significant step towards combating online abuse, the implications of this new legislation go beyond the digital realm. The balance between protecting freedom of speech and ensuring a safe online environment raises complex questions that will continue to unfold as the bill progresses through the legislative process. This development serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of digital governance and the role of governments in shaping the online world we inhabit.”
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