Canada introduces new bill to strengthen digital consumer privacy
Canada introduces new bill to strengthen digital consumer privacy
Updated at: June 15, 2026 at 04:45 AM
Canada has taken a significant step toward safer digital spaces with the introduction of Bill C-34, known as the Safe Social Media Act, on June 10, 2026.
This new legislation focuses specifically on protecting youth and curbing harmful content online, shifting the responsibility from individual users to platforms themselves.
Under this bill, major social media services and AI chatbots must adopt 'safety-by-design' features.
Crucially, it sets an age restriction for accounts for those under 16 and mandates the removal of dangerous material, such as hate speech and bullying.
To ensure compliance, the new Digital Safety Commission of Canada can impose hefty fines on companies that fail to meet these standards.
While Bill C-34 targets online harms, it is distinct from the failed Bill C-27, which previously aimed to overhaul broader data privacy and AI regulations.
As a result, Canada still lacks a comprehensive federal privacy law, leaving a regulatory gap that some provinces are addressing individually.
Furthermore, the bill faces criticism from civil liberties groups, who worry that mandatory age verification could compromise user privacy and limit freedom of expression in the digital age.
