Here’s what you need to know about Ottawa’s new policies on social media and AI
Here’s what you need to know about Ottawa’s new policies on social media and AI
Publish Date: 2026-06-20 06:13:00
Source Domain: cfjctoday.com
- Bill C-34 proposed to block social media access for kids under 16 but allows for exemptions if platforms implement sufficient safeguards.
- Which platforms will be affected is yet to be decided and will be decided by federal cabinet once the bill becomes law.
- A digital safety regulator named the Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission of Canada will be responsible for enforcing the age verification process and deciding on exemptions.
- While social media platforms are restricted, chatbots are not subject to the same age restrictions by the bill.
- Bill C-36 aims to recognize privacy as a fundamental right, set higher standards for the management of children’s data, and imposes transparency obligations concerning automated decision-making.
- The Government’s new digital safety regulator will also have the authority to impose significant penalties, including fines up to $25 million or 5% of global revenue.
- The legislative process for both the digital safety and privacy bills will delay implementation until at least 2028.
- The government also introduced a national AI strategy aimed at increasing Canadians’ use of artificial intelligence, promising educational opportunities and a substantial increase in AI-related jobs.
