Weekly News (July 16, 2018)

Compiled by Charnjot Shokar

McMaster University, Communications Governance Observatory

Canadian News (July 9 – 15, 2018)

• [PRIVACY] Supreme Court rules tobacco firm can’t access ‘incredibly sensitive’ health information (Toronto Star)
• [PRIVACY] Federal party databases in Canada under scrutiny after U.K. commissioner’s report (Globe and Mail)
• [BROADCASTING] Canadian broadcasting industry shrank in 2017, CRTC reports (Financial Post)
• [ANTI-SPAM] CRTC levies fines against two companies under Canada’s anti-spam law (Globe & Mail)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Judge rules Health Canada cannot withhold clinical trial data (Globe & Mail)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Harris & Rose: Shame on Ontario: A tale of public information withheld (Hamilton Spectator)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Free-speech questions raised after ex-flight attendant kicked out of YVR for protest (Toronto Star)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA ACCESSIBILITY] Facebook seeks help translating its interface into the language of the North (National Post)
• [PLATFORM REGULATION] Parody account targeting Iqra Khalid deletes tweet after Liberal MP’s complaint (CBC)

International News (July 9 – 15, 2018)

• [PRIVACY] Facebook faces £500,000 fine from UK data watchdog (BBC)
• [CENSORSHIP] China Bans Ads on Booming Video App (WSJ)
• [BROADBAND] In America’s tech capital, tens of thousands go without home Internet. Here’s how San Francisco wants to fix it. (Washington Post)
• [NET NEUTRALITY] Internet to remain free and fair in India: Govt approves net neutrality (Times of India)
• [PRIVACY] Microsoft raises alarms about face recognition (ABC)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Uganda Protest Over Social Media Tax Turns Violent (NYT)
• [DEFAMATION] Thai Court Acquits Migrant Poultry Workers of Defamation (NYT)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] China sentences veteran pro-democracy activist to 13 years in prison (CNN)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Myanmar Court Rules Reuters Reporters Can Face Full Trial (NYT)

Press Releases and Decisions (July 9 – 15, 2018)

Supreme Court of Canada

• Her Majesty The Queen in Right of British Columbia v. Philip Morris International, Inc. – and – Attorney General of Ontario, Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic and Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (B.C.) 2018 SCC 36 / 2018 CSC 36 (37524)
  • The appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia (Vancouver), Number CA42871, 2017 BCCA 69, dated February 14, 2017, heard on January 17, 2018, is allowed with costs in this Court and in the courts below. The order of the application judge is set aside and the application of Philip Morris International, Inc. for an order requiring production of the health care databases is dismissed.

Canadian Heritage

• Minister Joly Announces Appointment to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission: The Government of Canada announces the appointment of Joanne T. Levy as Regional Member for Manitoba/Saskatchewan

CRTC

• News Releases
  •  CRTC issues $250,000 in penalties to combat malicious online advertising: The CRTC’s Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer has issued Notices of Violation to Datablocks and Sunlight Media for allegedly aiding in the installation of malicious computer programs (also known as malware) through the distribution of online advertising. The companies are required to pay $100,000 and $150,000, respectively, in penalties.

Copyright Board of Canada

• Recent Decisions
  • Retransmission of Distant Radio Signals (2014 to 2018)
    • Reasons (July 13, 2018)
    • Tariff (July 14, 2018)

Microsoft

• Facial recognition technology: The need for public regulation and corporate responsibility
• Inspire 2018: Opening doors for partner innovation, growth and differentiation

Twitter

• Confidence in follower counts

Facebook

• Facebook 2018 Diversity Report: Reflecting on Our Journey

Apple

• Apple launches new clean energy fund in China

Upcoming Events

Senate of Canada

• No fixed and possible Senate sitting days this week; Senate reconvenes on September 18, 2018

Canadian House of Commons

• No fixed House of Commons sitting days this week; House reconvenes on September 17, 2018

CRTC

• Anticipated releases for the week of 16 to 20 July 2018:
  • Broadcasting Decision
    • Applications by various licensees to renew the broadcasting licences for various radio stations
  • Telecom Decisions
    • Groupe Maskatel LP – Implementation of wireless number portability for TELUS Communications Inc.Public record: 8620-M22-201801085
    • CoopTel – Implementation of wireless number portability for TELUS Communications Inc.Public record: 8620-C41-201800996
    • Sogetel inc. – Implementation of local competition for Iristel Inc. in the exchanges served by the local interconnection regions of Lac‑Etchemin, Nicolet, and St-Liboire, Quebec
    • Public record: 8663-S4-201800061

CRTC Open Broadcasting Proceedings

CRTC Open Telecom Proceedings