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Artwork for Law Bytes

Law Bytes

Michael Geist
Canada
Privacy
Artificial Intelligence
Online Harms Act
Tiktok
CRTC
Social Media
Bill C-11
Privacy Law
Bill C-27
2025 Federal Election
Bill S-210
Digital Services Tax
Canadian Content
Copyright Law
Bill C-2
Bill C-18
Fair Dealing
Hate Speech
Intellectual Property

In recent years the intersection between law, technology, and policy has exploded as digital policy has become a mainstream concern in Canada and around the world. This podcast explores digital policies in conversations with people studying the legal and policy challenges, set the rules, or are experts in the field. It provides a Canadian perspective, but since the internet is global, examining in... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Law Bytes

Latest Episodes

Over the past week, the concerns over Bill C-22, the government’s lawful access bill, continued to mount. Many companies, notably including Apple, Google, Meta, Signal, and DuckDuckGo, have spoken out against the bill. So too has the VPN sector, with... more

The government’s lawful access bill has been the target of criticism for weeks, with companies, governments, and experts on privacy and security all sounding the alarm. Much of the momentum against the bill began to build once the Standing Committee ... more

YouTube

The question of children’s social media and AI chatbot ban has emerged as one of the most talked-about digital policy issues in recent memory. Premiers, the Liberal convention, and the media have all jumped on board. But has the debate been driven by... more

YouTube

The recent announcement that Rogers is offering buyouts to half of its workforce is just the tip of the iceberg in a series of developments involving one of Canada’s dominant communications companies. It has seen rising consumer complaints, is cuttin... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Avery Pennerun
CEO of Tailscale
Tailscale
Episode: Episode 270: Roundtable on the Bill C-22 Risks for Canadian Tech Companies Featuring VPN Services Tailscale and Windscribe
Yegor Sak
CEO of Windscribe
Windscribe
Episode: Episode 270: Roundtable on the Bill C-22 Risks for Canadian Tech Companies Featuring VPN Services Tailscale and Windscribe
Sara Grimes
Dr. Sara Grimes, Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy; McGill University
McGill University
Episode: Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
Peter Nowak
Telecom journalist, founder of Do Not Pass Go
Do Not Pass Go
Episode: Episode 267: Peter Nowak on Rogers, the Shaw Merger Aftermath, and the Limits of Canadian Telecom Policy
Justin Safayeni
One of Canada's leading practitioners in access to information and media law
Stockwoods LLP (Toronto)
Episode: Episode 266: Justin Safayeni on the Ontario Government's Overnight Evisceration of Access to Information
Jason Millar
Canada Research Chair in the Ethical Engineering of Robotics and AI; leads the Canadian Robotics and AI Ethical Design Lab
University of Ottawa
Episode: Ep. 265 - Jason Millar on Claude Mythos, Project Glasswing, and the Governance Crisis in Frontier AI
Jon Penney
Law professor at Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto
Episode: Episode 264: Jon Penney on Chilling Effects in the Digital Age
David Fraser
Canada's leading privacy lawyer; partner at McInnes Cooper (Halifax)
McInnes Cooper
Episode: Episode 263: The Lawful Access Act Roundtable With David Fraser and Robert Diab
Zack Shapiro
New York lawyer, founder of Rains LLP
Rains LLP
Episode: Episode 262: Zack Shapiro on the Claude AI Native Law Firm

Host

Michael Geist
Host of Law Bytes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 86 ratings
  • Thoughtful analysis

    How refreshing to hear this kind of thoughtful, well considered analysis is these important topics. And well articulated too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tompled
    Canada3 years ago
  • Amazing podcast

    From students to experts, everyone learns from this podcast. No wonder the entire legal community subscribes to it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LaurianeLr
    Canada6 years ago
  • Thanks for the Tribute to Ian Kerr

    Made for an emotional commute this morning, but it was also an inspiration to keep fighting the good fight and to keep paying goodness forward. Thanks Michael.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maman Canadienne
    Canada7 years ago
  • Would appreciate more context

    I realise that, as this is a niche show, most listeners probably already have the prerequisite background knowledge for the discussed issues, but as an outsider, I would really appreciate more contextual introduction/explanation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    herb sherb
    Canada7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Lively guest mix from students to experts; the legal community subscribes.
Some listeners request more contextual introductions for outsiders.
Audience appreciation for tributes and inspirational messaging.
Thoughtful, well articulated analysis on important topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 269: Inside the Bill C-22 Committee Hearing for the Case Against Government’s Lawful Access Plans
Q: Do you feel Canada would be more intrusive into Canadians' private lives with C-22 compared to Europe and the US?
Europe and the US generally do not maintain metadata for long periods, and Canada would likely be seen as more intrusive if it maintains a year-long retention, which could also be contested as out of step with charter protections.
Episode 269: Inside the Bill C-22 Committee Hearing for the Case Against Government’s Lawful Access Plans
Q: What would you say to the proposition that this is asking for very narrow data, so therefore we don't have to worry as much that this could be saved under Section 1?
I would reject that idea, arguing that even seemingly low-privacy-value data can reveal significant patterns about who you speak with and when, and that the mere existence of those records raises serious privacy concerns that justify careful scrutiny and stronger safeguards.
Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
Q: How should policymakers think about youth inclusion in this debate, and what practical steps can translate research into policy?
Policymakers should actively consult children and youths, incorporate a rights-based framework that weighs education, participation, privacy, and safety, and consider implementing age-appropriate design codes rather than solely relying on age verification or blanket bans. This approach should be complemented by multi-stakeholder panels and pilots to assess real-world impacts before sweeping changes.
Episode 268: Sara Grimes on the Moral Panic Behind Banning Kids from Social Media and AI Chatbots
Q: What did you find in your analysis of the Angus Reid poll, and what gaps do you see between the headline numbers and the underlying data?
The headline figure overstates broad support for a full ban, especially among parents. When you look at the cross-tabs, the strongest support is for targeted measures (e.g., bans on specific apps) and parental mediation, while a universal ban is the least popular option across respondent groups. This nuance is often lost in media framing.
Ep. 265 - Jason Millar on Claude Mythos, Project Glasswing, and the Governance Crisis in Frontier AI
Q: What should Canada prioritize in AI governance right now?
Canada should build a regulatory framework focused on safety, implement transparent incident reporting, consider harmonizing global regulations, and empower a body like a Canadian AI Safety Institute to study, monitor, and advise on safety measures. The goal is to create enforceable rules and a mechanism to hold companies accountable for real-world harms.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Law Bytes

What is Law Bytes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A policy- and law-focused show examining digital policy, AI regulation, privacy, and internet governance with Canadian and international perspectives. Episodes frequently feature legal scholars, policy makers, and tech policy experts who dissect regulatory developments, privacy protections, and the balance between innovation and public interest. Notable strengths include rigorous, policy-forward analysis, guest diversity spanning academia, government, and think tanks, and a willingness to critique current laws while proposing concrete governance approaches. This mix makes it a go-to for listeners needing in-depth context on how digital policy evolves in Canada and beyond, with recurring threads on transparency, accountability, and digital s... more

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1. The Herle Burly
2. Curse of Politics
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4. Wonk
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Law Bytes launched 7 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Law Bytes?

Recent guests on Law Bytes include:

1. Avery Pennerun
2. Yegor Sak
3. Sara Grimes
4. Peter Nowak
5. Justin Safayeni
6. Jason Millar
7. Jon Penney
8. David Fraser

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