Remove non-consensual content, enforce existing laws: ethics committee on Pornhub
Canadians who have their image posted to Pornhub or other online streaming platforms without their consent should have the right to have it taken down immediately, a parliamentary committee said in a report released Thursday that pushed Ottawa to get tougher on the issue.
The House of Commons ethics committee began studying privacy protection and other issues involving sites such as Pornhub, owned by Montreal-based MindGeek, after a New York Times investigation said the site hosted videos of child sexual assaults and exploitations.
"As a father, and as parliamentarian, I felt it was a responsibility," Conservative committee chair Chris Warkentin said at a news conference in Ottawa.
"I was joined by my colleagues, who felt, I believe, the same thing, to investigate these startling and horrifying testimonies. In some cases, torment that changed these witnesses lives forever."
It also recommends making online platforms liable for failing to ensure that material is deleted quickly, or else face financial penalties. It calls for measures to verify that people depicted in pornographic content are at least 18 years old, and consented to its publication. It also says anyone who claims images or videos were shared online without their consent be given the benefit of the doubt.
The report also recommends that these online platforms be held liable for failing to prevent material involving child sexual abuse, or other non-consensual images, from being uploaded.
The committee also called for the federal government create a legal framework to require internet-service providers that host pornographic content to get more proactive about moderating content and enforcing rules, and be held legally accountable.
The committee held seven meetings, received 50 briefs and heard from 34 witnesses, including survivors, MindGeek and law enforcement.
Liberal vice-chair Brenda Shanahan said she found the testimonies and reports of content-hosting platforms operating in Canada to be "callously negligent" in prohibiting violent and child sexual abuse material on their websites.
"Our government is already seized by these and other disturbing issues emerging from the multi-layered online marketplace," she said Thursday.
"We look forward to seeing the government's response to our report."
Conservative committee member Shannon Stubbs said the recommendations were made with "urgency, resolve and determined expectations" and the onus is now on the government to act.
In April, the Liberal government announced it would introduce legislation to create a new regulator that will ensure online platforms remove harmful content, including depictions of children and intimate images that are shared without consent.
MindGeek did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication Thursday, but has previously denied all accusations of wrongdoing. The company has said it is a global leader in preventing the distribution of exploitative videos and images and has zero tolerance for non-consensual content or child sexual abuse material.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.