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Law Bytes

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

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
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyArts

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Artwork for Law Bytes

Latest Episodes

The Canadian government’s surprise decision to sign the UN Cybercrime Convention has sparked many questions about the convention, its risks, and what changed over the past nine months between Canada no-showing the signing in Vietnam and this month’s ... more

YouTube

Despite repeated studies and promises for reform, Canada’s access to information system has long been plagued by long delays, overbroad exclusions, insufficient resources, and an Information Commissioner without the resources and powers needed to ful... more

YouTube

The government’s privacy reform bill was supposed to earn applause for its effort to modernize outdated rules and provide Canadians with stronger privacy protections.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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kate Robertson
Senior Research Associate, Citizen Lab
Citizen Lab
Episode: Episode 277: Kate Robertson on the Risks That Lie Behind Canada's Unexpected Signing of the UN Cybercrime Convention
David Loukidelis
Former BC Information and Privacy Commissioner; former Deputy Attorney General of BC
BC Information and Privacy Commissioner (1999-2010); Deputy Attorney General, British Columbia
Episode: Episode 275: David Loukidelis on Why Stripping Privacy Enforcement from Canada’s Privacy Commissioner in Bill C-36 is Unnecessarily Risky Policy
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

Host

Michael Geist
Host of Law Bytes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 90 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
    Canada4 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
#32
Canada/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 275: David Loukidelis on Why Stripping Privacy Enforcement from Canada’s Privacy Commissioner in Bill C-36 is Unnecessarily Risky Policy
Q: Is there any defensible benefit to moving enforcement to the new Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission?
The guest concedes there could be some benefits in terms of digital-safety alignment and potential efficiency, but concludes these do not outweigh the harms, arguing for preserving enforcement under the Privacy Commissioner and enhancing powers within the existing framework instead of dismantling it.
Episode 275: David Loukidelis on Why Stripping Privacy Enforcement from Canada’s Privacy Commissioner in Bill C-36 is Unnecessarily Risky Policy
Q: What are your thoughts on the government's concerns about consolidating enforcement in a single commission and moving it away from the Privacy Commissioner?
While consolidation could offer some efficiency, the guest argues it risks undermining independence, introduces political influence, and may erode trust in privacy enforcement, making it harder to hold regulators accountable and to maintain robust protections for privacy across sectors.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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. West of Centre
3. The Munk Debates Podcast
4. The House
5. On with Kara Swisher

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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. Kate Robertson
2. David Loukidelis
3. Michael Geist
4. Lucy Hargreaves
5. Avery Pennerun
6. Yegor Sak
7. Sara Grimes
8. Peter Nowak

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