A new Canadian law aimed at enhancing safety on social media platforms is facing criticism for what some perceive as government intrusion into personal freedoms.
Introduced in late February, the Online Harms Act, also known as Bill C-63, has stirred debate over its provisions, which include the possibility of life imprisonment for adults convicted of advocating genocide.
Under the proposed legislation, provincial judges could impose house arrest and fines on individuals if there are reasonable grounds to believe they might commit an offense—an aspect likened by some to the concept of pre-crime depicted in the film “The Minority Report,” as noted by Wall Street Journal columnist Michael Taube.
Author Margaret Atwood, renowned for “The Handmaid’s Tale,” has voiced concerns over the bill, labeling it “Orwellian” in a Twitter post. She expressed apprehension about the potential for abuse, likening it to historical practices of unjust persecution.
Conservative author Stephen Moore, writing in Public, denounced the bill as one of the most extreme and illiberal pieces of legislation introduced in the Western world in recent memory.
According to a government spokesperson, the bill seeks to increase the maximum penalty for advocating genocide from five years to life imprisonment, and from two years to five years for the willful promotion of hatred.
Justice Minister Arif Virani, who introduced the bill, emphasized the need to protect children from online dangers, stating that while laws regulate the safety of physical toys, similar safeguards are lacking for the digital realm.
The proposed legislation has sparked heated debate over the balance between ensuring online safety and safeguarding civil liberties, with proponents arguing for stricter measures to combat harmful content and opponents raising concerns about potential overreach by the government.