Canada drafts legislation to force tech companies to remove ‘harmful’ content online

Canada has introduced draft legislation that would compel tech platforms to swiftly remove online content deemed harmful, such as material that sexualizes children and incites hate, Al Jazeera reported.

The Online Harms Act, put forth by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, would hold tech companies accountable for addressing seven categories of harmful content and elevate criminal penalties for spreading online hate.

According to the report, Canadians would have the ability to request content removal within 24 hours, subject to a review process, and lodge complaints against individuals disseminating hateful speech at a human rights tribunal.

The bill defines seven categories of harm, including intimate content shared without consent, content fostering hatred, incitement of violent extremism or terrorism, incitement of violence, cyberbullying of children, and content encouraging self-harm in children.

The legislation would establish a new digital safety commission to enforce standards, which also mandate platforms to implement features safeguarding children, like parental controls and safe search settings.