Free speech, privacy concerns raised about anti-terrorism bill’s internet clauses
The anti-terrorism bill unveiled Friday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper includes a section that gives his government the power “to order the removal of terrorist propaganda” from the internet.
That would still require a judicial order, as well as the attorney general’s support to push for the removal of such web content.
If the proposed legislation becomes law, a judge could order an internet service provider, or the “custodian” of “the computer system,” to remove web content the judge considers terrorist propaganda.
Government backgrounders on Bill C-51 point out that the Criminal Code already permits the removal or seizure of hate propaganda or child pornography.
- Anti-terrorism powers: What’s in today’s legislation?
- Read the full text of bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015
- Terrorism: A look at what other countries have done to combat the threat
The Department of Justice says the draft legislation is similar to laws that already exist in the United Kingdom and Australia.
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