Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says internet giants have did not hold children protected on-line.
Canada has unveiled draft laws that will drive tech platforms to shortly take away on-line content material deemed dangerous, together with materials that sexualises youngsters and foments hate.
The On-line Harms Act, launched by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal authorities on Monday, would make tech corporations accountable for tackling seven classes of dangerous content material and enhance prison penalties for spreading hate on-line.
Below the laws, Canadians would be capable to request the removing of content material inside 24 hours, topic to a overview course of, and file complaints towards individuals spreading hateful speech at a human rights tribunal.
The seven classes of hurt outlined within the invoice are intimate content material communicated with out consent; content material that foments hatred; content material that incites violent extremism or terrorism; content material that incites violence; content material used to bully a toddler; and content material that induces a toddler to hurt themselves.
The laws would set up a brand new digital security fee to implement the requirements, which additionally embrace requiring platforms to introduce options to guard youngsters similar to parental controls and protected search settings.
Trudeau stated the laws would maintain tech corporations accountable for dangerous content material they host and make on-line areas safer.
“For too long, web giants have failed to keep kids safe online,” he stated. “Far too often, this has had devastating consequences.”
In a press release, the federal government stated it revered Canadians’ freedom of expression however everybody ought to be capable to entry an internet surroundings “where they can express themselves freely, without fearing for their safety or their life”.
There was additionally an “urgent need for better safeguards for social media users, particularly children”, it stated.
The invoice shall be examined by a parliamentary committee after which go to the Senate for potential revisions earlier than it might turn into legislation.
The federal government’s proposals have generated fierce opposition from conservatives.
Conservative Get together chief Pierre Poilievre, who has accused Trudeau of being “woke” and “authoritarian”, stated final week that the federal government’s plans would infringe on Canadians’ freedom of expression.
“What does Justin Trudeau mean when he says… the word hate speech?” Poilievre stated in remarks aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Company. “He means speech he hates.”
Canada’s proposals observe related laws in different Western nations, together with the UK’s On-line Security Legislation, the European Union’s Digital Providers Act and content material moderation legal guidelines in the US states of Florida and Texas.