Michael Geist
LightNews LightNews
mgeist.bsky.social
Michael Geist
@mgeist.bsky.social
5.4K followers 450 following 540 posts
Law Professor, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, University of Ottawa
www.michaelgeist.ca
Law Bytes Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iDUCcDrkzGai0OdTgoucv
http://mgeist.substack.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
mgeist.bsky.social
Open version of my op-ed: Canada protects freedom of expression as a fundamental Charter right. But while the speech is protectable, there must be consequences for those with the intent to harass or intimidate others based on their religion or political beliefs.

www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/why-...
Why Freedom of Expression Must Not Become a Right to Harass or Intimidate - Michael Geist
My latest Globe and Mail op-ed opens by noting that my grandparents arrived in Canada in 1948, seeking to build a new life after surviving the Holocaust and knowing that most of their family had been ...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
My Globe op-ed on the “protests” in residential neighbourhoods that are not aimed at a government office, institution, public event, or high-profile personality. Rather they seek to harass or intimidate individuals based on their religion or political beliefs.
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/bc5ccfd...
Freedom of expression must not become a right to harass or intimidate
Protests in predominantly Jewish residential areas are a reminder that we need bylaws to address intimidation, while still protecting speech
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Digital sovereignty is hot the digital policy phrase of the moment driving discussion on Canadian digital policy involving AI, digital infrastructure, privacy, and cultural policy. But what does it really mean? Jennifer Pybus joins my Law Bytes podcast to discuss.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/the-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 251: Jennifer Pybus on the Debate Over Canadian Digital Sovereignty - Michael Geist
Digital sovereignty is hot the digital policy phrase of the moment driving discussion on Canadian digital policy involving AI, digital infrastructure, privacy, and cultural policy among others. Yet de...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Reversing the Reversal?: Government Puts Privacy Invasive Lawful Access Back on the Agenda
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/reve...
Reversing the Reversal?: Government Puts Privacy Invasive Lawful Access Back on the Agenda - Michael Geist
Last month, the government seemingly reversed course on its lawful access plans to grant law enforcement powers to demand warrantless access to personal information from any provider of a service in C...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Warrantless access to personal info returns! Months after backing down on lawful access and shifting to Bill C-12, government reverses and urges passage of Bill C-2. Bizarre press conference falsely claims information demand powers includes judicial oversight.
www.cpac.ca/headline-pol...
Federal Ministers Discuss Crime and Public Safety – November 19, 2025
Federal Ministers Gary Anandasangaree (public safety) and Steven MacKinnon (government House leader), alongside Ruby Sahota (secretary of state for combatting crime) make an announcement related to cr...
www.cpac.ca
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Michael Geist
cdtsuottawaclts.bsky.social
We were delighted to host yesterday @emilylaidlaw.bsky.social for the Călin-Rovinescu Lecture in conversation with Jane Bailey, @mgeist.bsky.social and @f-mb.bsky.social about online freedom of expression and how hate speech is redefining our collective responsibility.
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
The government's Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-15) features several notable digital policy provisions. First, it implements the repeal of the Digital Services Tax.
November 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Canadian Government Introduces New Stablecoin Act as Part of Budget Implementation Legislation
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/cana...
Canadian Government Introduces New Stablecoin Act as Part of Budget Implementation Legislation - Michael Geist
The Canadian government yesterday tabled its Budget Implementation Act. Running at over 600 pages, the bill includes several notable provisions related to digital policy including the repeal of the Di...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
It is happening here.
“No country in the world since October 7th has had more its synagogues threatened, vandalized, and firebombed than Canada.”
www.canadaland.com/shows/what-i...
What Is Happening Here
Anti-Jewish hate in Canada is off the charts. What is Happening Here is a raw, thorough, and honest examination of a vibrant, accepting society seized by a sudden crisis of hate.
www.canadaland.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 250: Wikimedia’s Jan Gerlach (@jangerlach.bsky.social) on the Risks and Challenges with Digital Policy Reform
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/the-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 250: Wikimedia's Jan Gerlach on the Risks and Challenges with Digital Policy Reform - Michael Geist
I’m not quite sure how this happened, but somehow this is the 250th episode of the Law Bytes podcast. To mark this milestone, I’m joined by Jan Gerlach, Wikimedia’s Director of Public Policy, who lead...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Lest We Forget. 🇨🇦 🌺
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
How can Canada’s AI strategy navigate competing policy objectives and ensure effective transparency? Where to land on AI regulation? My Law Bytes podcast this week reviews my AI consultation submission and committee appearance on AI and the cultural sector.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/the-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 249: The Debate Over Canada’s AI Strategy - My Consultation Submission and Appearance at the Canadian Heritage Committee - Michael Geist
The government’s AI consultation concluded at the end of October with expectations that a strategy will emerge before the end of the year. I participated in the consultation with a brief submission an...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Politico Canada reports that the government is changing its approach on online harms legislation with plans to break up the former Bill C-63 into smaller pieces with shared responsibility among several government departments.
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Despite warnings from the Commissioner of Elections and Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Liberals and Conservatives have been quietly working to pass Bill C-4, exempting themselves from privacy law imposed on others and undermining privacy rights of Canadians.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/how-...
How the Liberal and Conservative Parties Have Quietly Colluded to Undermine the Privacy Rights of Canadians - Michael Geist
It hasn’t received much attention, but the government and official opposition - ie. the Liberals and Conservatives - have been quietly working to pass legislation that undermine the privacy rights of ...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Lost in Budget 2025 is that the government promised a data mobility right in PIPEDA. This comes at same time that AI Minister Evan Solomon has said he will lead on a new privacy bill in Canada. Is the privacy reform a new bill (as in C-27) or tweaks to PIPEDA?
budget.canada.ca/2025/report-...
November 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
My thread on the digital aspects of Budget 2025 including AI, stablecoins, copyright reform, IP commercialization, and fixing a privacy error. No reference to actual privacy reform though.
bsky.app/profile/mgei...
mgeist.bsky.social Michael Geist @mgeist.bsky.social · 21d
Canadian federal budget is out. Five of the digital policy issues to note: First, the government announces a series of new measures focused on intellectual property with an emphasis on businesses using and commercializing IP.
budget.canada.ca/2025/report-...
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Canadian government departments are big believers that AI will be the source of reducing expenses. Finance, Justice, CRTC, Fisheries, CRA, ESDC all cite new efficiencies from AI to explain how they will meet the 15% spending reduction target in the budget.
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Canadian federal budget is out. Five of the digital policy issues to note: First, the government announces a series of new measures focused on intellectual property with an emphasis on businesses using and commercializing IP.
budget.canada.ca/2025/report-...
November 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 248: Mozilla President Mark Surman on Why Canada’s AI Strategy Should Prioritize Public AI Models
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/11/the-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 248: Mark Surman on Why Canada's AI Strategy Should Prioritize Public AI Models - Michael Geist
AI Minister Evan Solomon’s AI public consultation – framed as a 30 day sprint – wrapped up last week with expectations that the government will unveil a new AI strategy by the end of the year. Much of...
www.michaelgeist.ca
November 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
We Need More Canada in the Training Data: My Appearance Before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on AI and the Creative Sector
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/10/we-n...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCfE...
Michael Geist appearance before Heritage Committee on AI and the Creative Sector
YouTube video by Michael Geist
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:07 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Last week I appeared before Senate committee on Bill S-209, warning of overbroad scope that treats social media and generative AI as pornography sites, privacy risks of age verification, and site blocking. This week’s Law Bytes podcast goes inside the hearing room
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/10/the-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 247: My Senate Appearance on the Bill That Could Lead to Canada-Wide Blocking of X, Reddit and ChatGPT - Michael Geist
Bill S-209, the legislative effort to establish age verification requirements for sites and services that are said to facilitate access to pornography, is back. The bill has some modest improvements f...
www.michaelgeist.ca
October 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
CSIS is surprised new warrantless access to personal information from any provider of a service in Canada - everything from telcos to car rental companies - led to some pushback?! This lawful access plan needs much more than more than just more “precision”.
nationalpost.com/news/politic...
CSIS says new warrantless powers need more 'precision,' 'surprised' by border bill pushback
If C-2 passes intact, law enforcement would be able to compel any service provider to say if they’ve served an individual.
nationalpost.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Stablecoins are attracting growing attention with regulatory rules that are more supportive of their development. What are stablecoins and how are they regulated? Where does Canada stand on the issue? Mohamed Zohiri joins my Law Bytes podcast to discuss.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/10/law-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 246: Mohamed Zohiri on the Rise and Emerging Regulation of Stablecoins - Michael Geist
Stablecoins have increasingly begun to enter the mainstream with previously reticent policy makers, regulators, and financial institutions now shifting toward regulatory frameworks that seem more supp...
www.michaelgeist.ca
October 20, 2025 at 1:51 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
At a time when data sovereignty is top of mind, it is astonishing that Senate Bill S-209 envisions requiring millions of Canadians to provide government IDs to foreign entities for age verification in order to access social media sites and AI services.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/10/sena...
Senate Bill Would Grant Government Regulatory Power to Mandate Age Verification For Search, Social Media and AI Services Accompanied By Threat of Court Ordered Blocking of Lawful Content - Michael Gei...
The return of mandated age verification legislation in the Senate - formerly Bill S-210 and now S-209 - has been working its way through a Senate committee with a wide range of witnesses appearing ove...
www.michaelgeist.ca
October 15, 2025 at 6:58 PM
mgeist.bsky.social
Bill S-209 grants government unprecedented power to condition access to lawful websites in Canada with age verification requirements. Non-compliance leads to penalties and site blocking. Senator @jmivilledechene.bsky.social confirms covers more than adult websites
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/10/sena...
Senate Bill Would Grant Government Regulatory Power to Mandate Age Verification For Search, Social Media and AI Services Accompanied By Threat of Court Ordered Blocking of Lawful Content - Michael Gei...
The return of mandated age verification legislation in the Senate - formerly Bill S-210 and now S-209 - has been working its way through a Senate committee with a wide range of witnesses appearing ove...
www.michaelgeist.ca
October 15, 2025 at 2:55 PM