Douglas Robertson

Mark Carney is establishing an "INTERNET SUPER-REGULATOR" to control the digital space The Liberals' proposed ban on social media for children is grabbing all the headlines. But according to technology law expert @mgeist, the most important part of Bill C-34 isn't the ban itself. It's the EXTREMELY POWERFUL new government agency the bill would create. The Digital Safety Commission of Canada would have ENORMOUS authority over how Canadians access and use the internet. For example, the Commission would decide what Canadians must do to verify their age before using social media. Would that mean uploading government ID? Facial scans? Third-party verification services? None of this is defined in Bill C-34. It will be ENTIRELY up to the commission. It would also determine whether online platforms are doing enough to address yet-to-be-defined "harmful content" and, in some cases, could order content removed. According to Geist, the Commission would also have the power to compel testimony, demand documents, conduct investigations, and impose penalties worth millions of dollars. Perhaps most concerning, the Commission would not be bound by traditional rules of evidence and could hold hearings behind closed doors. And in its early stages, a single cabinet-appointed Chair could exercise all of the Commission's powers. Supporters say these powers are necessary to protect children online. Critics argue they give an unelected regulator unprecedented authority over how Canadians use the internet. Whatever your view on social media restrictions for children, one thing is clear: Bill C-34 is about much more than a kids' social media ban. It's about creating one of the most powerful internet regulators in Canadian history. Are Canadians paying enough attention?