Weekly Newsletter for March 04, 2025

Weekly News (March 4, 2025)

Compiled by Serra Hasiloglu and Brad McNeil and with Sara Bannerman

McMaster University, Communications Governance Observatory

(February 26 – March 4, 2025)

Canadian News

• [OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS/BIG TECH/POLITICAL INFLUENCE] Supreme Court of Canada says it is moving away from social-media platform X (Globe and Mail)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/PERSONAL INFORMATION] Canada watchdog probing X’s use of personal data in AI models’ training (Reuters)
• [LANGUAGE RIGHTS] Top court to review ruling that said N.B. lieutenant-governor need not be bilingual (Toronto Star)
• [BROADCASTING POLICY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS] Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming (CTV News)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/COPYRIGHT]  Canada, other countries struggling to come up with new rules for AI and copyright (Globe and Mail)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE] Younger Canadians drive trust in AI-generated information, poll indicates (Toronto Star)
• [FREEDOM OF INFORMATION] N.S. information commissioner says government bill threatens right to access records (CBC)
• [PERSONAL INFORMATION] Halifax court approves settlement in Dell class action over data breach: lawyer (CityNews Halifax)
• [HATE SPEECH] Quebec man sentenced for 3D-printed guns, online hate speech against Jews(Toronto Star)
• [HATE SPEECH/DEFAMATION] ‘This was hate speech’: Ontario drag performers win defamation case against blogger (Global News)
• [INNOVATION] Technological innovation seen as a key part of food sovereignty (Hamilton Spectator)
• [ONLINE NEWS/JOURNALISM] OPINION: Andrew Phillips: We’ve all embraced ‘Buy Canadian.’ So why hasn’t the federal government? (Toronto Star)
• [HEALTH/PRIVACY/PERSONAL INFORMATION] OPINION: Michael Geist and Kumanan Wilson: Beware, Donald Trump might go after Canadians’ health data next (Globe and Mail)
• [EDUCATION/CELL PHONES BAN] OPINION: Katherine Martinko: Ontario’s toothless school cellphone ban isn’t working. It’s time to rethink it (Globe and Mail)

International News

• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/COPYRIGHT] UK ministers consider changing AI plans to protect creative industries (Guardian)
• [PERSONAL INFORMATION/PLATFORM REGULATION] UK launches investigation into TikTok, Reddit over children’s personal data practices (Reuters)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/JOB MARKET] Hong Kong to slash 10,000 civil service jobs, push AI in bid to reverse deficit (Reuters)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE] China Tells Its AI Leaders to Avoid U.S. Travel Over Security Concerns(Wall Street Journal)
• [FREE SPEECH] US FCC chair says EU Digital Services Act is threat to free speech (Reuters)
• [CENSORSHIP] A New Age of Iranian Cinema Is on Display at the Oscars (New York Times)
• [COPYRIGHT] Birkenstock sandals aren’t art, just footwear, German court says after copycat lawsuit (CBC)
• [PLATFORM REGULATION/PRIVACY] Apple faces likely French antitrust fine for privacy tool, sources say (Reuters)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION/HATE SPEECH] US Supreme Court turns away challenge to Indiana University bias reporting policy (Reuters)
• [PERSONAL INFORMATION] Trump Proposes Fines, Prison Time for Migrants Who Don’t Join Registry (Wall Street Journal)
• [FREE SPEECH] Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos says opinion pages will defend free market and ‘personal liberties’ (Washington Post)
• [ONLINE HARMS/CONTENT MODERATION] Meta says it fixed ‘error’ after Instagram users report a flood of graphic and violent content (CNBC)
• [BIG TECH/ONLINE HARMS/CONTENT MODERATION]  277 million more harmful posts could flood Facebook and Instagram, study says (Washington Post)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE] Meta plans to release standalone Meta AI app in effort to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT (CNBC)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/ENERGY] AI giants learn to share Trump’s zeal for fossil fuels(Washington Post)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/EDUCATION/COMPETITION] Online education company Chegg sues Google, says AI is killing business (Washington Post)
• [BIG TECH/PERSONAL INFORMATION] Apple launches ‘age assurance’ tech as US states mull social media laws (Reuters)
• [PERSONAL INFORMATION/PRIVACY/SPORTS] NFL Teams Gathered Detailed Consumer Data Without Standard Notice or Opt-Outs (Wall Street Journal)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/MUSIC/COPYRIGHT] Artists release silent album in protest against AI using their work (BBC)
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CHIPS] A journey through the hyper-political world of microchips(Guardian)

(February 26 – March 4, 2025)

Supreme Court of the United States

• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION/HATE SPEECH] SPEECH FIRST, INC. v. WHITTEN

Supreme Court of Canada

• The Supreme Court of Canada has decided the following leave applications.
  • [LANGUAGE RIGHTS] GRANTED: La Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick v. The Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Governor General and the Governor General in Council – and – Attorney General of New Brunswick (N.B.) (Civil) (By Leave) (41398)
  • [DEFAMATION/FAIR COMMENT] DISMISSED: Brooke Dietrich v. 40 Days for Life (Ont.) (Civil) (By Leave) (41477)

Federal Court of Appeal

• [PERSONAL INFORMATION/ATI REQUEST] Export Development Canada v. Canada (Information Commissioner) – 2025 FCA 50

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• News releases:
  • Privacy Commissioner seeks Federal Court order requiring Pornhub operator to comply with Canadian privacy law
  • Privacy Commissioner investigation into complaint about social media platform X
  • Connected but exposed: 2025 OPC Contributions Program call for proposals puts focus on smart devices
  • Privacy Commissioner announces winners of first Privacy and Human Rights Awards

Information Commissioner of Canada

• Transparency and Access to Information for the 21st Century: My Commitment

Competition Bureau Canada

• News release:
  • Telemarketing scams: old news or more convincing than ever?

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• News release:
  • Government of Canada announces recipients of CanCode 4.0 funding

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

• Third-party Report:
  • Perceptions of Canadian Programming and News
• Regulatory Policy:
  • Online News Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-57
• Broadcasting and Telecoms:
  • Telecom notice of consultation 2024-318-2
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    Notice of hearing – Making it easier for consumers to shop for Internet services – Changes to procedure – Revised deadline for submission of replies: 26 March 2025
  • Telecom notice of consultation 2024-294-3
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    Call for comments – Making it easier to choose a wireless phone or Internet service – Removing barriers to switching plans – Changes to procedure – Revised deadline for submission of interventions: 12 March 2025 – Revised deadline for submission of replies: 26 March 2025
  • Telecom notice of consultation 2024-293-3
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    Call for comments – Making it easier to choose a wireless phone or Internet service – Enhancing customer notification – Changes to procedure – Revised deadline for submission of replies: 26 March 2025
  • Telecom decision 2025-67
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    Various applicants – Updated timeline for full transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 – Public record: 8662-C402-202306935
  • Telecom decision 2025-66
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    Various organizations – Applications regarding testing 9-1-1 call centre systems in the Next-Generation 9-1-1 environment – Public record: 8662-C126-202305797
  • Telecom decision 2025-65
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    CISC Emergency Services Working Group and Network Working Group – Consensus report NTRE081 on measures to improve the resiliency of 9-1-1 and public alerting services and reduce the impacts of outages – Public record: 8621-C12-01/08
  • Telecom decision 2025-64
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    CISC Emergency Services Working Group – Next-Generation 9-1-1 mapping and addressing considerations – Public record: 8669-C12-01/01
  • Telecom decision 2025-63
    [2025-02-28 16:00:00]
    The Independent Telecommunications Providers Association and TELUS Communications Inc. – Small incumbent local exchange carriers’ responsibilities and funding considerations in the Next-Generation 9-1-1 framework – Public records: 8663-J92-202101369 and 8633-T66-202201755
  • Telecom order 2025-62
    [2025-02-27 11:00:00]
    Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc., TN 1243
  • Broadcasting decision 2025-61
    [2025-02-27 11:00:00]
    HGTV Canada Inc. – Across Canada – Application to revoke the broadcasting licence for Magnolia Network
  • Telecom order 2025-60
    [2025-02-27 11:00:00]
    Broadband Fund – Acceptance of statement of work for the Government of Nunavut’s transport fibre project in Nunavut – Public record: 1011-NOC2022-0325
  • Broadcasting notice of consultation 2024-288-1
    [2025-02-26 11:00:00]
    Notice of hearing – 31 March 2025 – Gatineau, Quebec – The Path Forward – Defining “Canadian program” and supporting the creation and distribution of Canadian programming in the audio-visual sector – Addition of a public opinion research report to the public record and key issues in focus during the public hearing beginning 31 March 2025 – Public record: 1011-NOC2024-0288
  • Broadcasting decision 2025-59
    [2025-02-26 11:00:00]
    My Broadcasting Corporation – Brockville and Kingston, Ontario – Application to change the ownership and control of the English-language commercial radio stations, CFJR-FM, CJPT-FM, CFLY-FM and CKLC-FM
  • Telecom order 2025-58
    [2025-02-26 11:00:00]
    Streamlined order The Commission approves the following tariff applications: Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership, TN 582 and Bell MTS Inc., TN 866
  • Broadcasting regulatory policy 2025-57
    [2025-02-26 11:00:00]
    Cost Recovery (Online News Act) Regulations
  • Telecom order 2025-56
    [2025-02-25 11:00:00]
    Streamlined order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff applications: Fido Solutions Inc., TN 29 and Rogers Communications Canada Inc., TN 85

Amazon

• Amazon Web Services announces a new quantum computing chip

Google 

• The latest AI news we announced in February
• 3 new ways we’re working to protect and restore nature using AI

Meta

• New Meta for Education Offering is Now Generally Available

Microsoft

• Disrupting a global cybercrime network abusing generative AI
• The Trump administration can avoid a strategic misstep in the AI global race
• Microsoft completes landmark EU Data Boundary, offering enhanced data residency and transparency

OpenAI

• 1,000 Scientist AI Jam Session: Advancing science with the U.S. national labs

TikTok

• Digital Services Act: Our fourth transparency report on content moderation in Europe

Youtube

• Investing to protect teen wellbeing on YouTube across Europe and globally

Senate of Canada

• The Senate sitting and possible sitting days:  Parliament is prorogued – The prorogation of the first session of the 44^th Parliament was proclaimed on January 6, 2025. Parliamentary business, including committee business (other than the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senatorsand the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight), is ended and will reconvene on March 24, 2025 for the second session of the 44^th Parliament.

House of Commons

• The House of Commons sitting and possible sitting days:  The 1st session of the 44th Parliament was prorogued on January 6, 2025. Prorogation occurs when the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, issues a proclamation putting an end to a parliamentary session. In practice, as soon as Parliament is either prorogued or dissolved, all committee activity ceases and, as such, all orders of reference and committee studies lapse. 

Supreme Court of Canada

• The Supreme Court of Canada will decide the following leave applications at 9:45 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
  • [PERSONAL INFORMATION] South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority v. G.D., et al. (Que.) (Civil) (By Leave) (41442)

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

• Anticipated releases for the week of 3 to 7 March 2025:
  • The CRTC plans to issue the following decisions, notices of consultation, orders and/or regulatory policies in the week of 3 to 7 March 2025. This is subject to change without notice. 
  • Broadcasting Notice of Consultation:
    • Call for comments on market capacity and the appropriateness of issuing a call for radio applications to serve Wingham, Ontario, and surrounding areas
  • Telecom Orders:
• Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in the proceeding initiated by Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
  File numbers:8690-R28-202404201 and LCD 4754-758
• Northwestel Inc. – Introduction of Winback Discount for Residential Unlimited Internet Packages
  Public record:Tariff notice 1231
• Telecom Notice of Consultation:
• Call for comments – Implementing a retail Internet service subsidy in the Far North – Change to procedure
  Public record: 1011-NOC2025-0010
• Upcoming hearings:
  • March 27, 2025 – National Capital Region
    Notice of hearing – The Commission intends to consider the following applications, subject to interventions, without the appearance of the parties in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-18 – View hearing documents (2025-18
  • March 31, 2025 – Gatineau (Québec)
    Notice of hearing – The Path Forward – Defining “Canadian program” and supporting the creation and distribution of Canadian programming in the audio-visual sector in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2024-288 – View hearing documents (2024-288)            
  • May 12, 2025 – Gatineau (Québec)
    Notice of hearing -The Path Forward – Working towards a sustainable Canadian broadcasting system – Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-2 – View hearing documents (2025-2)
  • June 10, 2025 – Gatineau (Québec)
    Notice of hearing – Making it easier for consumers to shop for Internet services – Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2024-318 – View hearing documents (2024-318)
  • June 18, 2025 – Gatineau (Québec)
    Notice of hearing – The Path Forward – Supporting Canadian and Indigenous audio content – Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-52 – View hearing documents (2025-52)
• CRTC Open Broadcasting Proceedings
• CRTC Open Telecom Proceedings

Consultations:

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

• (Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-20) Call for comments – Improving the routing of 9-8-8 calls and texts –  Deadline for submission of replies: 10 March 2025 
• (Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2024-295-1) Call for comments – Making it easier to choose a wireless phone or Internet service – Enhancing self-service mechanisms – Revised deadline for submission of replies: 12 March 2025
• (Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2024-294-1) Call for comments – Making it easier to choose a wireless phone or Internet service – Removing barriers to switching plans – Changes to procedure – Revised deadline for submission of replies: 14 March 2025  
• Share your thoughts on Canadian content for audio services – End date: April 7, 2025
• Share your thoughts on enhancing self-service – End date: March 12, 2025

Have a suggestion? Email Sara Bannerman at banners@mcmaster.ca 

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