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Artwork for Law Bytes

Law Bytes

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

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

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Artwork for Law Bytes

Latest Episodes

The government’s privacy reform bill was supposed to earn applause for its effort to modernize outdated rules and provide Canadians with stronger privacy protections. Yet the decision to strip the Privacy Commissioner of Canada of responsibility for ... more

YouTube

Earlier this month, the government shocked the culture sector by announcing it was effectively reversing the CRTC decision that implemented the Online Streaming Act. Culture Minister Marc Miller tried to cushion the blow with a promise of $600 millio... more

YouTube

Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, has quickly become a lightning rod for debate since its introduction earlier this month. The issue that invariably tops the list is the kids’ social media ban. Bill C-34, along with the recently introduced Bill C... more

YouTube

The release of the government’s AI strategy has sparked a wide range of reactions and a flurry of additional legislative initiatives. While the legislative side is being fleshed out, the debate over the broader strategy remains, including whether it ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Michael Geist
Law professor at the University of Ottawa, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law
University of Ottawa
Episode: Episode 273: Rebroadcast of the Globe and Mail’s The Decibel on Canada’s First Steps Towards a Social Media Ban
Lucy Hargreaves
Co-founder and CEO of Build Canada, a non-partisan civic movement
Build Canada
Episode: Episode 272: Build Canada’s Lucy Hargreaves on Canada’s AI Strategy and the Need to Shift From Being Users to Builders
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

Host

Michael Geist
Host of Law Bytes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 87 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.

Thoughtful analysis of important topics with clear, well-articulated takes.
Listeners appreciate the depth and policy-forward approach.
Niche topic coverage can be challenging for newcomers, but context helps.
High-quality guests and legally grounded discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#40
Canada/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 273: Rebroadcast of the Globe and Mail’s The Decibel on Canada’s First Steps Towards a Social Media Ban
Q: Why is the age-based ban and age verification seen as problematic?
Because it would require tens of millions of Canadians to verify their age, likely via third parties, creating significant privacy risks, potential ID collection problems, and weak protections if data is mishandled or breached.
Episode 273: Rebroadcast of the Globe and Mail’s The Decibel on Canada’s First Steps Towards a Social Media Ban
Q: What was your overall impression of the Safe Social Media Act?
I saw some good policies resurfacing, such as a duty to act responsibly, which could enable real regulation and better safety measures, but the social media ban itself is a mistake and bad policy that risks privacy and practical harms.
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.

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 technology-policy focused program that centers on Canadian digital policy, privacy, and governance, often featuring conversations with leading researchers, lawyers, journalists, and policy practitioners. Episodes frequently explore Bill C-22 and other privacy or surveillance issues, AI governance, age verification, and the broader global context of digital rights, with an emphasis on practical implications for industry, regulators, and the public. Notable strengths include rigorous legal and policy analysis, accessible explanations of complex topics, and guests who bring both scholarly and practitioner perspectives. The format tends to be thoughtful, evidence-based, and policy-forward, making it a strong fit for listeners who want to unde... more

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1. Hub Podcasts
2. The Munk Debates Podcast
3. The Herle Burly
4. The Paikin Podcast
5. The Big Story

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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. Michael Geist
2. Lucy Hargreaves
3. Avery Pennerun
4. Yegor Sak
5. Sara Grimes
6. Peter Nowak
7. Justin Safayeni
8. Jason Millar

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