Tesla founder Elon Musk has responded to a tweet urging him to take action against the Trudeau government’s online censorship legislation Bill C-11, saying it’s the first he’s heard of the controversial bill.
Musk recently acquired social media platform Twitter in a $44 billion deal that takes the once-public company private under Musk’s leadership.
After news of Musk’s long-awaited acquisition went public, conservative social media group Canada Proud tweeted at Musk, asking if he would take steps to fight against the Trudeau government’s Online Streaming Act.
“Hey [Elon Musk]”, now that you own Twitter, will you help fight back against Trudeau’s online censorship bill C-11”? Canada Proud posted.
“First I’ve heard,” Musk responded, in his typical short-form way of posting.
If Bill C-11 is passed in its current form, it will enable the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to regulate what’s labelled user-generated content, including turning down the visibility of content deemed ‘not Canadian enough’.
The law would affect platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, and Musk’s Twitter, potentially forcing these platforms to adjust their algorithms to comply with CRTC guidelines.
In the lead-up to taking complete control of Twitter, Musk has been vocal about his desire to make Twitter a free speech-friendly platform and engage in less censorship.
“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” said Musk this past April.
“It is no beuno. We’ve been fighting it in Parliament for some time, but it’s on track to become law,” said Conservative MP Michelle Rempel-Garner, in response to Musk’s comment. She shared an OpenMedia petition to have Bill C-11 amended before becoming law.
Bill C-11 is currently being evaluated by the Canadian Senate’s Transportation and Communications committee, after which Senators may propose amendments and will vote for or against the legislation in the bill’s third reading.
