Communications Governance in the News

Compiled by Sara Bannerman and Márcio E. Gonçalves (Research Assistant, Communications Governance Lab)

Canadian News (March 19-25, 2018)

• [PRIVACY] Facebook investigating whether Canadians caught up in data-harvesting scheme (The Toronto Star)
• [PRIVACY] Facebook shares tumble after Canadian whistleblower reveals abuse of data of tens of millions of users (The Globe and Mail)
• [PRIVACY] Bannerman: Social media interference in Canadian elections must be prevented (Halifax Chronicle Herald)
• [PRIVACY] Liberals’ $100,000 contract with Christopher Wylie one of several interactions between party, researcher (Globe & Mail)
• [PRIVACY] Privacy czar decries ‘gap’ in law for political parties handling personal info (Ottawa Citizen)
• [PRIVACY] Taking the pledge to protect private data (The Toronto Star)
• [COMPETITION] Documents detail allegations in Competition Bureau media investigation: Watchdog probing Torstar, Postmedia transaction.(Toronto Star)
• [NEWS FUNDING] Google has promised to spend $392 million to support digital journalism (Toronto Star)
• [TELECOM POLICY] CRTC’s rulings on wireless competition lack concrete solutions for high costs, critics say (Globe & Mail)
• [CYBERSECURITY] Spy agency chief says new powers would help stop cyberattacks before they happen (National Post)
• [ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS] Elections Canada suggests voter contact registry for ‘bot’ users on social media (National Post)
• [TELECOM POLICY] Canadians will soon get emergency alerts on their mobile phones (Toronto Star)
• [TELECOM POLICY] Federal government won’t block Huawei’s business in Canada (Globe & Mail)
• [PRIVACY] Sidewalk Labs aims to address privacy concerns in designing high-tech Toronto neighbourhood (The Globe and Mail)
• [PRIVACY] Privacy watchdog details B.C. landlords’ data overcollection (Globe & Mail)
• [ANTI-SPAM / MISLEADING ADVERTISING] ‘Sweep’ finds misleading advertising ‘prevalent’ in affiliate marketing (Halifax Chronicle-Herald)
• [SEXUAL MISCONDUCT] Program to combat sexual harassment in music venues sees little pickup ahead of Junos (Globe & Mail)
• [HERITAGE MINISTER] Liberals told to be careful as feds prepare to consult on plan to combat racism (National Post)
• [DRIVERLESS CARS] Uber suspends self-driving vehicle testing in Toronto after pedestrian killed in Phoenix (Toronto Star)

International News (March 19-25, 2018)

• [PRIVACY] Call for Privacy Hands a Crisis To Tech Giants (The New York Times)
• [PRIVACY] Timeline: Facebook and Google Under Regulators’ Glare (The New York Times)
• [PRIVACY] Google Wants Publishers to Get Users’ Consent on Its Behalf to Comply With EU Privacy Law (The Wall Street Journal-subscriber access)
• [TELECOM POLICY] FCC chief cites concerns on spy threats from Chinese telecoms firms (Reuters)
• [ANTITRUST] Ip: Antitrust Case Against Merger of AT&T and Time Warner Feels Stuck in the Past (The Wall Street Journal-subscriber access)
• [PRIVACY] Justice Dept. Revives Push for Way to Crack Phones (The New York Times)
• [TECH POLICY] Icy Maneuvering By U.S. and China In Tech Cold War (The New York Times)
• [COPYRIGHT] ‘Blurred Lines’ drama: Appeals court sides with Marvin Gaye family (USA Today)

Press Releases and Decisions (March 19-25, 2018)

Canadian Heritage

• Statement by Minister Joly on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

• #ExportYourIP Twitter chat: Protecting your IP abroad
• CIPO strengthens relationship with Intellectual Property India and expands toolkit for protecting IP abroad
• Updates to the PCT Applicant’s Guide – National Phase – National Chapter

Competition Bureau Canada

• Competition Bureau invites feedback on the draft of a practical guide regarding efficiencies in merger reviews

CRTC

• The CRTC collaborates with international partners to fight illegitimate online marketing activities
• CRTC continues to foster investment, innovation and affordable choice in the wireless market

• Broadcasting decision 2018-104
  [2018-03-23 11:00]
  APPROVED – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Kelowna and Winlaw, British Columbia – Application to change the authorized contours of CBUJ-FM Winlaw, a rebroadcasting transmitter of the English-language radio staion CBTK-FM Kelowna

• Broadcasting decision 2018-103
  [2018-03-23 11:00]
  APPROVED – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Edmonton and Manning, Alberta – Application to change the authorized contours of CBXM-FM Manning, a rebroadcasting transmitter of the English-language radio station CBX-FM Edmonton, Alberta
• Broadcasting decision 2018-102
  [2018-03-23 11:00]
  APPROVED – THEMA Canada Inc. – Across Canada – Applications to add the non-Canadian programming services listed in the Decision to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution
• Broadcasting decision 2018-101
  [2018-03-23 11:00]
  APPROVED – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Sudbury and Geraldton, Ontario – Application to change the authorized contours of CBON-FM-22 Geraldton, a rebroadcasting transmitter of the radio station CBON-FM Sudbury
• Telecom decision 2018-100
  [2018-03-22 11:00]
  Revocation of basic international telecommunications services licences
• Telecom order 2018-99
  [2018-03-22 11:00]
  Wholesale mobile wireless roaming service tariffs – Final rates – Public record: Bell Mobility Tariff Notices 1B, 1C, and 4; Rogers Communications Partnership Tariff Notice 42; and TELUS Communications Company Tariff Notice 501
• Telecom notice of consultation 2018-98
  [2018-03-22 11:00]
  Call for comments Lower-cost data-only plans for mobile wireless services – Public record: 1011-NOC2018-0098
• Telecom decision 2018-97
  [2018-03-22 11:00]
  Reconsideration of Telecom Decision 2017-56 regarding final terms and conditions for wholesale mobile wireless roaming service – Public record: 1011-NOC2017-0259
• Telecom order 2018-96
  [2018-03-21 11:00]
  Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: ISP Telecom Inc. TN 17 and TN 17A
• Broadcasting notice of consultation 2018-95
  [2018-03-20 11:00]
  Notice of application received – Across Canada – Deadline for submission of interventions/comments/answers: 19 April 2018
• Broadcasting order 2018-94
  [2018-03-20 11:00]
  Broadcasting Licence Fees – Part I
• Telecom order 2018-93
  [2018-03-19 11:00]
  Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc. TN 1012

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• New Canadian partnership in next-generation wireless technology
• Government responds to the introduction of new measures to reduce wireless prices

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• Privacy Commissioner launches Facebook investigation
• Affiliate marketing industry needs to clean up its act in terms of privacy law compliance
• Privacy Commissioner submits further observations on the review of Bill C-59
• OPC posts new summaries of cases involving businesses

Facebook

• Hard Questions: Update on Cambridge Analytica
• Pursuing Forensic Audits to Investigate Cambridge Analytica Claims
• Cracking Down on Platform Abuse
• Fact Check: Your Call and SMS History

Upcoming Events

Senate of Canada

• Sitting days this week: Mar 27-29; Committee events this week: Mar 26-29 2018

Canadian House of Commons

• Sitting days this week: Mar 26-29 2018
• Tuesday: Private Members’ Business: M-168 — Mr. Oliver (Oakville) — Net Neutrality (first time debated)
• Meetings:
  • Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage:
    • Tuesday: Cultural Hubs and Cultural Districts in Canada
  • Industry:
    • Tuesday: Broadband Connectivity in Rural Canada
  • Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities:
    • Monday & Wednesday: Automated and Connected Vehicles in Canada
  • Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics:
    • Tuesday:
      • Privacy of Digital Government Services
      • Net Neutrality

CRTC

• Anticipated releases for the week of 26 to 29 March 2018: The CRTC plans to issue the following decisions and/or regulatory policies in the coming week. This list may be incomplete and is subject to change without notice.

Telecom Decisions:

• CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee – Consensus reports on a proposed wireless public alerting test alert schedule and methodology – Public record: 8621-C12-01/08
• Saskatchewan Telecommunications – Application for forbearance from the regulation of residential local exchange services  – Public record: 8640-S22-201711648
• New Consultations:

o     Telecom notice of consultation 2018-98
[2018-03-22 11:00]
Call for comments Lower-cost data-only plans for mobile wireless services – Public record: 1011-NOC2018-0098

o     Broadcasting notice of consultation 2018-95
[2018-03-20 11:00]
Notice of application received – Across Canada – Deadline for submission of interventions/comments/answers: 19 April 2018

• Upcoming Hearings:

o     27 March 2018 – Gatineau, Quebec
To Consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2018-16.
View hearing documents (2018-16)

o     April 30, 2018 – Gatineau, Quebec
To Consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-365, 2017-365-1 and 2017-365-2
View hearing documents (2017-365)

Global Affairs Canada

• Media accreditation for the G7 Ministerial on Preparing for Jobs of the Future [March 27-28] extended to March 22