Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the country's privacy rules, warning that companies should not be allowed to use personal data to charge unfair prices. According to a Bloomberg report, the proposal seeks to prevent businesses from exploiting consumer information to impose higher costs while giving individuals greater control over their data.
Key Provisions of the Legislation
The bill, announced on June 15, targets algorithmic pricing, also known as surveillance pricing, where companies adjust prices based on personal data such as behavior, location, and profile. While the legislation does not outright ban the practice, it aims to prevent harms that outweigh benefits. Loyalty programs and rewards that offer discounts rather than penalties remain permissible.
Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon emphasized that personal data should not be weaponized for price gouging. "Your personal information should not be used against you," he said.
Stronger Consumer Rights
If passed, the law would require organizations to disclose more about automated decisions, give Canadians the right to delete their personal information under certain circumstances, and treat children's data as sensitive, requiring stricter protections.
The government plans to establish a new regulator to oversee compliance in the private sector, complementing the Office of the Privacy Commissioner's oversight of federal institutions.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Businesses that fail to comply could face fines of up to C$10 million or 3% of global revenue, whichever is greater. The most serious violations could trigger penalties of C$25 million or 5% of global revenue.
Carney on US Ban on Anthropic's AI Models
Separately, Carney commented on Washington's decision to restrict Anthropic's newest AI models, highlighting the risks of over-reliance on a small number of American providers. "Nobody has done anything wrong in the situation. But we will have done something wrong if we just accept this, don't take the lesson, don't build out and diversify," Carney told Fortune.
On June 12, Anthropic confirmed it had taken its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models offline to comply with a directive from the Trump administration. The order prevents foreign nationals from accessing the company's most advanced AI systems, marking the US government's most significant step yet in restricting frontier AI exports. Anthropic released Fable 5 widely last week, while Mythos 5 remained tightly controlled due to cybersecurity concerns. The AI giant described Mythos as "strikingly capable," warning it could surpass human experts in identifying and exploiting computer vulnerabilities.
