Everything You Need To Know about the Newest Online Harms Law
Canada's making waves with Bill C-63, and let's just say, it's not your average piece of legislation. This Bill aims to safeguard Canadians, particularly Canadian youth, from a wide array of online harms, reflecting a commitment to transform our digital landscape into a more secure environment for everyone.
From Areto's perspective, the journey to tackle online harm is deeply personal. Since our inception, we've been at the forefront of developing solutions to counteract online abuse, spam and toxic content. Our commitment to this cause is driven by a desire to see a digital world where interaction is safe and inclusive for everyone. We're particularly excited about the developments in Canada, our home turf, and view Bill C-63 as a pivotal moment in recognizing and combating online harm. We hope it signals a broader social willingness to acknowledge the real damages of online toxicity and take tangible steps towards addressing them.
How did we get here?
2019: Legislation promised during federal election campaign.
Early 2021: Initial proposal criticized; pledge to reintroduce within 100 days post-election.
June 2021: The federal government introduces Bill C-36, legislation meant to crack down on hate propaganda, hate crimes, and hate speech. This bill aimed to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code but died on the order paper when the 2021 federal election was called.
2021 Election: Previous bill (Bill C-36) dies on order paper.
Post-Election 2021: Commitment to new comprehensive legislation.
February 26, 2024: The Liberals unveil the online harms Bill C-63, focusing on protecting children and holding online platforms accountable for harmful content.
The Nitty-Gritty
Bill C-63 zeros in on the pressing need to protect Canadians from a range of online dangers including:
Hate speech
Terrorist content
Content that incites violence
Child sexual abuse material
Non-consensual distribution of intimate images
Cyberbullying and inciting self-harm
Non-consensual AI-generated pornography ("deepfakes")
Global Context
The introduction of Canada's Bill C-63 marks a significant stride towards protecting people, especially youth, from the dangers lurking online. However, this legislation is but a chapter in a global narrative of digital reform.
The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), implemented in 2022, sets a precedent with its comprehensive regulatory framework, emphasizing content moderation and transparency across a broad spectrum of digital services.
The UK's Online Safety Bill, pending approval since 2021, underscores a similar commitment to user safety, proposing more prescriptive duties on platforms and broader protective measures.
Australia's Online Safety Act 2021 expands protections against online harm, with measures targeting cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and more, marking a significant stride in safeguarding digital spaces and fostering a safer online environment for all.
Germany's NetzDG, operational since 2017, focuses on swift content removal timelines and detailed reporting, providing a model for prompt action against hate speech and illegal content.
India's IT Rules (2021) and Singapore's POFMA (2019) further illustrate the global momentum towards tighter online content regulation, each with unique focuses but a shared goal of enhancing digital safety.
You Could Be Next
In a world where digital borders are pretty much non-existent, Canada’s proactive stance with Bill C-63 signals a shift towards global digital accountability. It’s a heads-up for businesses and platforms everywhere: adapt or be left behind.
For countries still on the sidelines of enacting comprehensive digital laws, the message couldn't be clearer. We're moving quickly towards a world where digital accountability isn't just nice to have; it's essential. This isn't about keeping up anymore—it's about setting the pace.
Waiting around? That's yesterday's game. Today, it's all about stepping up—being proactive, not just in meeting the bare minimum, but in leading the charge towards creating online spaces where safety and respect aren't just added extras; they're the foundation.
For businesses, social platforms, and every organization out there, this is your wake-up call. It's time to move from passive to active, from followers to pioneers. This is about shaping a digital world where everyone, from the user in their living room to the athlete on the field, feels safe and respected.
Moreover, prioritizing this shift before legislation mandates it can save your company not just money, but invaluable time and the headache of future compliance scrambles. It's not just about avoiding penalties; it's about investing in a future where your platform stands out for all the right reasons—safety, respect, and proactive leadership.
No Silver Bullet
Bill C-63, while a significant stride towards mitigating online harms, is part of a larger, multifaceted effort required to cleanse our digital spaces of toxicity. The path to a safer, more inclusive digital Canada is complex, and requires collaborative efforts between government, technology partners, and the community. So let’s outline what else needs to happen to truly improve online toxicity.
First, the federal governments around the world need to create laws that protect citizens from abuse. If Bill C-63 is passed and implemented, this will represent a significant step forward in North America.
Second, in the short term, platforms must make it easier to report toxicity, and work with law enforcement to charge people under those laws. In the long term, platforms must start to change the algorithms that polarize us to nudge people away from negativity and towards respectful language.
Third, organizations need to 1) recognize and accept if online abuse is harming the workplace, 2) have a higher standard for duty of care for their employees, and 3) take accountability for doing something to mitigate the impacts of the abuse and harassment their people face on the job, when that job includes a public profile on social media.
Finally, the public needs to be educated on the impact of their words. If we can create digital communities that feel safe enough, engaged citizens will feel more confident and able to stand up for their fellow citizens. They–we–could be our most powerful opportunity for countering online abuse and harms.
Law enforcement, employers, social media companies, small businesses that provide solutions - each has a role to play, and they all must work together to implement solutions and consult with those most affected by online toxicity and abuse.
Conclusion
The passage of Bill C-63 in Canada is a beacon for global online safety reform. However, true change requires a collective, proactive approach. It requires a concerted effort from all quarters: law enforcement, employers, social media giants, and innovators like Areto Labs. Each entity has a unique part to play, from enforcing laws to offering solutions that counteract online toxicity. As we navigate this pivotal juncture, Areto Labs remains committed to leveraging our expertise in AI and digital community management to support these goals. By working in tandem with these new regulations, we aim to further our mission of creating safer, more engaging online communities where respect and inclusivity are the norm.