Stephanie Levitz
Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault is seen during a news conference Thursday June 18, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld January 29, 2021 - 1:33 PM
OTTAWA - It s no longer sustainable for social media companies to self-police content and time for governments to step in, the head of public policy for Facebook Canada said Friday.
That s why the social media giant is welcoming ongoing work by the federal Liberal government to roll out a plan, Kevin Chan told the House of Commons heritage committee. Right now, it s private companies like Facebook that are deciding what is and isn t allowed on Facebook and we think that that doesn t sit well with many people and they want public rules where there is legitimate public and democratic accountability, he said.
No longer sustainable for social media giants to self-police on content: Facebook
by The Canadian Press
Last Updated Jan 29, 2021 at 2:58 pm EDT
OTTAWA The head of public policy for Facebook Canada says it’s no longer sustainable for social media companies to self-police questionable content.
Kevin Chan told a House of Commons committee today that’s why his company would welcome regulations that could govern what can’t be posted.
Chan’s appearance at the committee comes as the Liberal government is working on the creation of an online regulator, and associated regime, that would offer that guidance.
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault told the committee today that work should bear fruit in the form of new legislation this spring.
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The federal government is making final revisions to its plans to act against online hate and harassment on social-media platforms in light of the deadly U.S. Capitol Hill riots, and its proposed measures will be presented to cabinet in the coming weeks.
The recent actions of web giants Facebook, Google, Twitter, Apple and Amazon following the riots are prompting worldwide debate about fundamental issues of freedom of speech, the responsibility of platform companies to moderate their sites, and the proper role of government regulation.
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Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said it is a really big deal that an Inuk was included in the selection committee for Canada s first Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. In this file photo, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Mr. Obed speaks during a press conference in Iqaluit, Nunavut on March 8, 2019.
Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
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