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Artwork for Law Bytes

Law Bytes

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

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Artwork for Law Bytes

Latest Episodes

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

Just over a month ago, the Ford government tabled Bill 97, an omnibus bill with provisions fundamentally restructuring Ontario's access to information system. Information and Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim responded with alarm, but the governm... more

YouTube

In a year in which AI has truly dominated much of the news cycle, the story of Anthropic’s Mythos may be the biggest story of them all. A version of the popular Claude AI service is reportedly so powerful that the company can’t release it to the publ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Ian Goldberg
Canada Research Chair in Privacy Enhancing Technologies at the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
Episode: Episode 261: Ian Goldberg on the Privacy Risks of Age Assurance Technologies
Elizabeth Denham
Former privacy commissioner in British Columbia and the United Kingdom
Former BC Privacy Commissioner; Former UK Information Commissioner
Episode: Episode 260: What the Government Didn’t Want You To Hear About Bill C-4 And Its Weak Political Party Privacy Rules
Philippe Dufresne
Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Episode: Episode 260: What the Government Didn’t Want You To Hear About Bill C-4 And Its Weak Political Party Privacy Rules

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
#64
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#126
Chile/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#189
United Arab Emirates/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Ep. 265 - Jason Millar on Claude Mythos, Project Glasswing, and the Governance Crisis in Frontier AI
Q: What's the distinction between “security” and “safety” in this context, and why does it matter?
Security is about protecting a system from being compromised, like locking a door; safety is about preventing harms that arise from using a system even if it's secure, such as manipulation or privacy violations. The episode emphasizes that fixing security flaws does not automatically make AI safer for users.
Ep. 265 - Jason Millar on Claude Mythos, Project Glasswing, and the Governance Crisis in Frontier AI
Q: For listeners not following along, what is Claude Mythos and why is it considered so impactful?
Mythos appears to be an advanced model capable of finding deep vulnerabilities in major software, which could be exploited if released publicly. The concern isn't just what the model can do, but the risk of weaponizing those vulnerabilities before patches exist. The plan with Glasswing is to contain access and learn from a limited rollout to patch systems before any broader release.
Episode 266: Justin Safayeni on the Ontario Government's Overnight Evisceration of Access to Information
Q: Why is Bill 97 considered a dramatic change beyond the existing exemptions?
Bill 97 introduces categorical exclusions that remove the act from applicability entirely for records in custody of ministers or their offices, which eliminates the possibility of public-interest overrides or discretionary disclosure in these cases, a much more blunt tool than typical exemptions.
Episode 266: Justin Safayeni on the Ontario Government's Overnight Evisceration of Access to Information
Q: What was the key legal shift introduced by the Supreme Court decision on mandate letters?
The Court expanded the cabinet records exemption beyond the traditional six subcategories to focus on 'effective government,' which broadened protections and moved away from a strict focus on the substance of deliberations, thus allowing broader nondisclosure arguments.

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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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. Peter Nowak
2. Justin Safayeni
3. Jason Millar
4. Jon Penney
5. David Fraser
6. Zack Shapiro
7. Ian Goldberg
8. Elizabeth Denham

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