An expert panel tasked with helping to shape a federal bill to curb online hate suggests it cover Airbnb, the vacation rental booking site, as well as video games and even private communications online.
The advisory panel believes a future online hate law should have a broad scope covering not just Twitter and Facebook but smaller online platforms, including crowdfunding apps, according to reports of their discussions posted online.
Many experts on the panel also supported bringing private online conversations 91Ƶunder the scope of the legislative framework.91Ƶ
The Liberal government has said it wants to bring in an online hate bill so that harmful content, such as racist and antisemitic abuse online, is swiftly removed by platforms.
Earlier this year, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez appointed the expert advisory group on online safety to provide counsel on a framework for such a law.
In discussion papers for the group, the Heritage Department indicated it is not inclined to regulate services such as Uber, Airbnb and Peloton. The department suggested they be 91Ƶexcluded 91Ƶ as their primary purpose is not to enable communication between persons per se, but to arrange transportation, or rent accommodations, or participate in fitness classes.91Ƶ
Many experts on the panel suggested a wider reach, however, and wanted to 91Ƶincorporate all entities that communicate online.91Ƶ Some said there is 91Ƶjustification to look more widely91Ƶ including 91Ƶsome interactive services like Airbnb and gaming platforms,91Ƶ records of their meetings show.
A few expert advisers added that 91Ƶit would be hard to assert generalized obligations to act responsibly on some platforms (e.g., social media companies) but not others who operate on the same level of the tech stack (e.g., Airbnb, video-gaming platforms).91Ƶ
The report of their meetings said some panel members thought 91Ƶa broad definition would help address evolving/emerging technologies to help future-proof the legislation.91Ƶ
It said members 91Ƶhighlighted that a lot of times a high level of harmful content, such as terrorist content or child pornography are shared in private communications instead of on public forums 91Ƶ and that excluding these types of communications would leave a lot of harmful content on the table.91Ƶ
Airbnb, based in San Francisco, said communications on its platform are between people booking lodgings and landlords, such as asking questions about whether dogs are allowed.
It said it has an extensive and strict anti-discrimination policy and delists people who do not adhere to it, as well as those linked to extremist groups.
A spokesman for Airbnb said the site has banned the accounts of dozens of users with links to white nationalist groups, including those identified as members of Iron March, a neo-Nazi forum, following disclosure of the forum91Ƶs membership.
91ƵDiscrimination of any kind 91Ƶ including bias, prejudice and racism 91Ƶ have no place on our platform or in our community in Canada and around the world, and we have strong policies in place on these issues that align with our inclusive values,91Ƶ said Nathan Rotman, of Airbnb Canada.
91ƵAccording to the government, this bill is meant to regulate social media platforms, not platforms like Airbnb.91Ƶ
In the United States, Harvard Business School researchers exploring racial discrimination at Airbnb found that applications from guests with distinctly African-American names were about 16 per cent less likely to be accepted than guests with distinctly white names.
Bernie Farber, who is chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and a member of the 12-person panel, said Airbnb should fall within the scope of the regulations aimed at curbing online hate, because discussions take place on its platform.
The government also asked its advisory panel to consider how deep the law should go.
91ƵShould top layer interactive services that are not social media platforms 91Ƶ like, video-gaming platforms and streamers, or crowdfunding platforms 91Ƶ also be included?91Ƶ said government papers giving topics for their deliberations.
Some panel members said a broader scope would include entities that are successful in the recruitment of violent extremists who adapt quickly 91Ƶand have been moving to video game services, file sharing sites, and live audio applications.91Ƶ
Laura Scaffidi, a spokeswoman for Rodriguez, said 91Ƶthe expert advisory group on online safety is mandated to provide the government with advice on how to address harmful content online91Ƶ and noted the 12 people on the panel have a 91Ƶbroad range91Ƶ of views and experience.
91ƵWe look forward to the group91Ƶs continued work and final summary,91Ƶ she added.
91ƵWe are going to take the time we need to get this right.91Ƶ
91ƵMarie Woolf, The Canadian Press