An expert panel tasked with helping to shape a federal bill to curb online hate suggests it cover Airbnb, the vacation rental booking site, as well as video games and even private communications online.
The advisory panel believes a future online hate law should have a broad scope covering not just Twitter and Facebook but smaller online platforms, including crowdfunding apps, according to reports of their discussions posted online.
Many experts on the panel also supported bringing private online conversations B次元官网网址渦nder the scope of the legislative framework.B次元官网网址�
The Liberal government has said it wants to bring in an online hate bill so that harmful content, such as racist and antisemitic abuse online, is swiftly removed by platforms.
Earlier this year, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez appointed the expert advisory group on online safety to provide counsel on a framework for such a law.
In discussion papers for the group, the Heritage Department indicated it is not inclined to regulate services such as Uber, Airbnb and Peloton. The department suggested they be B次元官网网址渆xcluded B次元官网网址� as their primary purpose is not to enable communication between persons per se, but to arrange transportation, or rent accommodations, or participate in fitness classes.B次元官网网址�
Many experts on the panel suggested a wider reach, however, and wanted to B次元官网网址渋ncorporate all entities that communicate online.B次元官网网址� Some said there is B次元官网网址渏ustification to look more widelyB次元官网网址� including B次元官网网址渟ome interactive services like Airbnb and gaming platforms,B次元官网网址� records of their meetings show.
A few expert advisers added that B次元官网网址渋t would be hard to assert generalized obligations to act responsibly on some platforms (e.g., social media companies) but not others who operate on the same level of the tech stack (e.g., Airbnb, video-gaming platforms).B次元官网网址�
The report of their meetings said some panel members thought B次元官网网址渁 broad definition would help address evolving/emerging technologies to help future-proof the legislation.B次元官网网址�
It said members B次元官网网址渉ighlighted that a lot of times a high level of harmful content, such as terrorist content or child pornography are shared in private communications instead of on public forums B次元官网网址� and that excluding these types of communications would leave a lot of harmful content on the table.B次元官网网址�
Airbnb, based in San Francisco, said communications on its platform are between people booking lodgings and landlords, such as asking questions about whether dogs are allowed.
It said it has an extensive and strict anti-discrimination policy and delists people who do not adhere to it, as well as those linked to extremist groups.
A spokesman for Airbnb said the site has banned the accounts of dozens of users with links to white nationalist groups, including those identified as members of Iron March, a neo-Nazi forum, following disclosure of the forumB次元官网网址檚 membership.
B次元官网网址淒iscrimination of any kind B次元官网网址� including bias, prejudice and racism B次元官网网址� have no place on our platform or in our community in Canada and around the world, and we have strong policies in place on these issues that align with our inclusive values,B次元官网网址� said Nathan Rotman, of Airbnb Canada.
B次元官网网址淎ccording to the government, this bill is meant to regulate social media platforms, not platforms like Airbnb.B次元官网网址�
In the United States, Harvard Business School researchers exploring racial discrimination at Airbnb found that applications from guests with distinctly African-American names were about 16 per cent less likely to be accepted than guests with distinctly white names.
Bernie Farber, who is chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and a member of the 12-person panel, said Airbnb should fall within the scope of the regulations aimed at curbing online hate, because discussions take place on its platform.
The government also asked its advisory panel to consider how deep the law should go.
B次元官网网址淪hould top layer interactive services that are not social media platforms B次元官网网址� like, video-gaming platforms and streamers, or crowdfunding platforms B次元官网网址� also be included?B次元官网网址� said government papers giving topics for their deliberations.
Some panel members said a broader scope would include entities that are successful in the recruitment of violent extremists who adapt quickly B次元官网网址渁nd have been moving to video game services, file sharing sites, and live audio applications.B次元官网网址�
Laura Scaffidi, a spokeswoman for Rodriguez, said B次元官网网址渢he expert advisory group on online safety is mandated to provide the government with advice on how to address harmful content onlineB次元官网网址� and noted the 12 people on the panel have a B次元官网网址渂road rangeB次元官网网址� of views and experience.
B次元官网网址淲e look forward to the groupB次元官网网址檚 continued work and final summary,B次元官网网址� she added.
B次元官网网址淲e are going to take the time we need to get this right.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址擬arie Woolf, The Canadian Press
