(Ottawa) Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Chairman Ian Scott could ask platforms such as YouTube to adjust their algorithms to make it easier to find Canadian content, under the bill’s powers C-11 on online broadcasting.
Posted at 3:11 p.m.
Scott’s remarks have been caught on the fly by critics of the bill, who fear they will confirm their warnings.
Matthew Hatfield of OpenMedia said his organization is dedicated to keeping the internet open. Although it is primarily funded by individuals, it receives funding from Google, whose parent company also owns YouTube.
However, YouTube has warned that Canadian digital creators, including influencers and broadcasters, could lose foreign revenue if the government forces digital platforms to promote Canadian content.
Indeed, algorithms cross borders, and if a Canadian song presented to YouTube audiences in Canada is not liked or picked up, it may suggest that it is not popular. This in turn could lead to its downgrading worldwide.
The bill would update Canada’s streaming laws to apply to platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and Spotify, requiring them to take action to make Canadian content more viewable, including music , movies and TV shows.
Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet Law at the University of Ottawa, believes it has long been obvious that these rules would require algorithmic manipulation. “This is precisely why so many Canadian digital creators have expressed concern about the bill and the damage it could cause,” he said.
“The CRTC Chairman has acknowledged that the law will allow the government to do indirectly what it says it cannot do directly, by pressuring platforms to manipulate their algorithms to prioritize certain content compared to others. »
But Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has publicly stated that the bill will not lead to platforms being asked to manipulate their algorithms.
On Thursday, his spokeswoman stressed that the government’s position has not changed, pointing out that part of Bill C-11 specifically excludes manipulation of algorithms. A clause in the bill would prevent the CRTC from making an order requiring “the use of a specific computer algorithm or source code.”
“The government will ask the CRTC to work with platforms to present content so that more Canadians can find, choose and enjoy content from Canadian artists and creators,” said Laura Scaffidi, who added that it “will be up to it is up to the platforms to decide how best to meet these objectives. »
The Online Streaming Bill this week passed the House of Commons, but will now face scrutiny in the Senate.
In his opening address to the committee, Ian Scott said the CRTC was broadly in favor of the bill, but wanted a few amendments, including one that would allow it to continue resolving disputes. .
YouTube and Spotify declined to comment.