Newsletter: November 2, 2021

Weekly News (November 2nd, 2021)

Compiled by Boxi Chen, Fizza Kulvi, Meaghan Wester, and Nick Gertler with Sara Bannerman, Fenwick McKelvey, Guillaume Dandurand, Marek Blottière, and Kevin MorinMcMaster University, Communications Governance Observatory

The Communications Governance Discussion Group meets every few weeks by Zoom.  Email organizer Derek Hrynyshyn <derekh@yorku.ca> for details.

News

(October 26-November 1, 2021)

Canadian News 

·         [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] He mocked a disabled boy in a comedy bit. Canada’s Supreme Court found his words were ‘disgraceful’ but not discriminatory (Washington Post)

·         [PRIVACY] With new cabinet, Ottawa has chance to boost digital rights, experts say  (Globe&Mail)

·         [CYBERSECURITY/ PRIVACY] Cybersécurité: comment mettre en place les bons contrôles? (Journal de Montréal)

·         [MEDIA OWNERSHIP/TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY] Vidéotron poursuit Rogers pour 850M$; Québecor intente une poursuite de 850 M$ contre sa concurrente ontarienne (Journal de Montréal)

·         [MEDIA OWNERSHIP/TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY] L’action de Shaw pourrait reculer si l’entente avec Rogers échoue, dit un analyste (La Presse)

·         [FREEDOM OF INFORMATION/PRIVACY] B.C. government’s proposed freedom-of-information changes are cynical and self-serving (Globe&Mail)

·         [PRIVACY] Elections Ontario asked to divulge complaints from MPPs that could muzzle community groups (Toronto Star)

·         [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] City Hall roundup (City of Winnipeg will explore options to prohibit protests within 150 metres) (Winnipeg Free Press)

·         [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION/ADVERTISING] Anti-abortion groups take legal action against Hamilton over rejected HSR ad (Hamilton Spectator) 

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE] Torstar announces partnership with Google News Showcase, launching in Canada today (Toronto Star)

·         [TELECOMMUNICATION] John Tory’s ties to Rogers have been a source of conflict since he was elected mayor. Now they’ve dragged him into the middle of a bitter family feud (Toronto Star)

·         [INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY] Increasing the use of generic drugs is one anti-inflation tactic (Toronto Star)

·         [PRIVACY/ACCESS TO INTERNET] Toronto 18 terror plot architect wants more computer access, but may not have to reveal passwords to parole officers (National Post)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] EDITORIAL: The Liberals should do what they promised, and follow through on agenda to tame Big Tech (Toronto Star)

·         [PRIVACY] OPINION: Monaghan: Intense police surveillance for Indigenous land defenders contrasts with a laissez-faire stance for anti-vax protesters (Conversation)

·         [BROADCASTING POLICY] OPINION: Raj: Justin Trudeau’s cabinet choices reveal how he’d like to be remembered (Toronto Star)

·         [PATENT] OPINION: Next federal government will need to strike a new deal with Big Pharma (Globe&Mail)

International News

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE] TikTok, Snap, YouTube defend how they protect kids online in congressional hearing (Washington Post)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] Facebook grilled by UK lawmakers making online safety rules (AP News)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] Facebook Whistle-Blower Brings Campaign to Europe After Disclosures (New York Times)

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE/HATE SPEECH] America ‘on fire’: Facebook watched as Trump ignited hate (AP News)

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE/MISINFORMATION] What Facebook knew about covid-19 misinformation — and didn’t tell Congress (Washington Post)

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE/MISINFORMATION] Misinformation online is bad in English. But it’s far worse in Spanish (Washington Post)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION/ANTI-TRUST] ‘Monopoly’ Facebook Is Losing Ground (Wall Street Journal)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] China tightens control over company data with transfer rules (AP News)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] China pushes for security reviews of firms seeking to export user data (Reuters)

·         [PRIVACY] People, homes vanish due to 2020 census’ new privacy method (AP News)

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE] Facebook changes name to Meta as it refocuses on virtual reality (Reuters)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] Metaverse? These Internet pioneers say we’re still learning from Web 1.0 (Washington Post)

·         [PLATFORM REGULATION] An “eraser button”? Focused ideas could help bridle Big Tech (AP News)

·         [PRIVACY] Twitter sees little effect from Apple’s privacy pivot; Depends mainly on brand advertising (Bloomberg)

·         [CENSORSHIP/SURVEILLANCE] Zoom, Slack, Google Hangouts and More: The Hidden Risks of Remote Work (Wall Street Journal)

·         [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] A Virginia town official dressed in blackface. He called it ‘freedom of expression.’ (Washington Post)

·         [FREEDOM OF INFORMATION/PRIVACY] Infrastructure Bill’s Broadband Plan Shrouded From Scrutiny (Wall Street Journal)

·         [PRIVACY] Julian Assange: what to expect from the extradition appeal (Guardian)

·         [HATE SPEECH/PLATFORM GOVERNANCE] EDITORIAL: Facebook or Meta? Rebranding is no out for real-world social media problems (Toronto Star)

·         [PLATFORM GOVERNANCE] OPINION: STOLLER: Facebook was born, lives and thrives in scandal. It’s been lawless for years (Guardian)

·         [HATE SPEECH] OPINION: BENSINGER: Face It, Facebook Won’t Change Unless Advertisers Demand It (New York Times)

Press release and decisions

(October 26-November 1, 2021)

Supreme Court of Canada

  • Judgements in Appeal: [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Mike Ward v. Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (39041) The appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Quebec (Montréal), Number 500-09-026283-168, 2019 QCCA 2042, dated November 28, 2019, heard on February 15, 2021, is allowed without costs. The judgments of the Human Rights Tribunal and the Court of Appeal are set aside as they relate to Jérémy Gabriel. Abella, Karakatsanis, Martin and Kasirer JJ. dissent.
  • Judgment in Leave Application: [PRIVACY] Robert Cannon v. Court of Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan et al. (Sask.) (Civil) (By Leave) (39759) The applicant’s miscellaneous motion and motions to add or substitute parties, to adduce new evidence, and for a stay of execution of the lower court award of costs are dismissed. The application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan, Number CACV3708, 2021 SKCA 77, dated May 18, 2021, is dismissed with costs to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Constable Burton Roy; Battlefords Seventh-Day Adventist Church, James Kwon, Gary Lund, Ciprian Bolah, Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference, Michael Collins, Matrix Law Group, Patricia J. Meiklejohn, Cliff A. Holm, and Kimberley Richardson; Saskatchewan Health Authority, Rebecca Soy, Public Health Authority, Ken Startup Battleford Union Hospital, and Saskatchewan Hospital; Chantelle Thompson, Jennifer Schmidt, Mark Clements, Chad Gartner, Brad Appel, Ian McArthur, Bryce Bohun, Kathy Irwin, Jason Panchyshyn, OWZW Lawyers LLP and Virgil A. Thomson; and the Honourable Justice J.W. Elson.

Supreme Court of the United States

  • [PRIVACY/SURVEILLANCE] ACLU v. UNITED STATES AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION v. UNITED STATES on petition for writ of certiorari to the united states foreign intelligence surveillance court of review. The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.

Youtube

Microsoft

Facebook

CRTC

News Releases:

  • Telecom order 2021-361[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff applications: Bell Aliant, a division of Bell Canada, TN 551 and TN 551A
  • Telecom order 2021-360[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Streamlined order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff application: NorthernTel, Limited Partnership, TN 410
  • Telecom order 2021-359[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc. TN 1144
  • Telecom order 2021-358[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc. TN 1143
  • Telecom order 2021-357[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Streamlined order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc. TN 1140
  • Telecom order 2021-356[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to the Community Media Advocacy Centre for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-663
  • Telecom order 2021-355[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to the Deaf Wireless Canada Consultative Committee for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-667
  • Telecom order 2021-354[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to the Ontario Association of the Deaf for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-665
  • Telecom order 2021-353[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-668
  • Telecom order 2021-352[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to Deafness Advocacy Association Nova Scotia for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-664
  • Telecom order 2021-351[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to the Canadian Association of the Deaf-Association des Sourds du Canada for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-662
  • Telecom order 2021-350[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Allocation of funds from Bell Canada’s deferral account to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind for its participation in the proceeding initiated by Telecom and Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2021-69 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2021-0069 and 4754-666
  • Broadcasting order 2021-349[2021-10-29 11:00:00]Broadcasting Licence Fees – Part II Broadcasting Licence Fees – Part II

Upcoming events

Senate of Canada

Canadian House of Commons

CRTC 

Open Proceedings

Anticipated releases for the week of November 1-5, 2021

  • The CRTC plans to issue the following decisions and/or regulatory policies in the week of 1 to 5 November 2021. This is subject to change without notice.
  • Telecom Decision: Relief for area codes 438 and 514 in Montreal, Quebec Public record: 8621-C12-01/08

Open Public Consultations: 

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