Thread by @christelletono

📢NEW REPORT ALERT: @ystvns @MominMMalik @SonjaSolomun @supriyadwivedi @sambandrey and I analyze the Canadian government's proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) in Bill C-27.

You can read the report here: cybersecurepolicy.ca/aida

Let me summarize it 🧵1/10

In our report, we share several concerns about AIDA and Bill C-27 + outline 5 policy recommendations that would enable Canada to develop an approach that centers accountability and the protection of human rights. 2/10

First, given the absence of a formal public consultation on AIDA, we encourage ISED to hold an adequate public consultation with community advocates, researchers, lawyers,and groups representing the interests of BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, economically disadvantaged, & disabled ppls. 3/10

Second, to effectively regulate the AI market in Canada, we need an independent body empowered to administer penalties in the event of contravention, outline best practices for auditing, and enforce the law. The proposed AI & Data Commissioner would not be able to do that. 4/10

Third, AIDA only currently applies to the federal private sector and explicitly exempt gov't. The framework must be broadened to include all government institutions to avoid the situations like RCMP's procurement of Clearview AI products... 5/10

Fourth, both the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) and AIDA within Bill C-27 should provide for a definition of algorithmic systems that is cohesive across both laws, technologically neutral and future-proof. 6/10

This could look like defining AI based on its applications, rather than focusing on techniques associated with ML and AI. I am curious to hear what folks think about this! 7/10

Fifth, Bill C-27 fails to address the human rights risks of algorithmic systems in a comprehensive manner. This could look like developing prohibitions on certain algorithmic systems, the processing of biometric data, and high level protections for children. 8/10

Our commentary was drafted before the completion of the @OurCommons #ETHI report on facial recognition tech. I am looking forward to reading the gov't response to the study before writing down my thoughts. ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer… 9/10

This was a great collaboration between researchers at @PrincetonCITP, @MediaTechDem & @TMULeadLab. If you have questions or want to chat about this, do not hesitate to reach out! end/10