CRTC could force YouTube, Spotify to 'manipulate' algorithms, under proposed streaming bill

The chairman of Canada's broadcast regulator says it might ask platforms such as YouTube to "manipulate" their algorithms to make Canadian music easier to find, under powers in the proposed online streaming bill.

Ian Scott told a Senate committee examining the bill that although the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission would not want to manipulate algorithms itself, it might tell platforms, "I want you to manipulate it (the algorithm) to produce particular outcomes."

His remarks have been seized on by critics of the online streaming bill, who say it confirms what they've been warning against.

Matthew Hatfield of OpenMedia said Scott's remarks confirmed "what we have been saying all along." OpenMedia is an organization dedicated to keeping the internet open. While it's mainly funded by individuals, it gets some funding from Google, whose parent company also owns YouTube.

YouTube has warned that Canadian digital creators, including influencers and streamers, could lose foreign revenue if the government forces digital platforms to promote Canadian content.

This is because algorithms cross borders, and if a Canadian song presented to YouTube's audience in Canada is not liked or chosen, it may suggest that it is not popular. That in turn could lead to it being downgraded worldwide.

A push to make Cancon more 'discoverable'

The bill would update Canada's broadcast laws to apply to platforms including Netflix, YouTube and Spotify, forcing them to take steps to make Canadian content — including music, films and TV shows — more "discoverable."

Michael Geist, the University of Ottawa's Canada Research Chair in internet law, said it has long been obvious that those rules would require algorithmic manipulation.

"Indeed, that is precisely why so many Canadian digital creators expressed concern about the bill and it the harm it could cause," he said.

"The CRTC chair has acknowledged that the law will allow the government to do indirectly what it says it can't do directly, by pressuring platforms to manipulate their algorithms to prioritize certain content over others."

Geist said this could lead to Canadian creators having their content downgraded globally, leading to decreased revenues and exposure.

'Up to the platforms to decide'

But Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has publicly said the bill will not lead to platforms being asked to manipulate their algorithms.

On Thursday, his spokeswoman stressed the government's position has not changed, pointing out that part of Bill C-11 specifically rules out manipulating algorithms. A clause in the bill would prevent the CRTC making an order requiring the "use of a specific computer algorithm or source code."

"The government will ask the CRTC to work with the platforms to showcase content so that more Canadians can find, choose, and enjoy content from Canadian artists and creators," said Laura Scaffidi.

"It will be up to the platforms to decide how to best meet these objectives."

Scott made his remarks Wednesday evening when appearing before the Senate committee on transport and communications, which is carrying out a pre-study of the bill.

The online streaming bill this week passed through the House of Commons but will now be scrutinized closely in the Senate.

In his opening remarks to the committee, Scott said the CRTC is "largely supportive" of the bill, but wants to see a few amendments made, including one that would allow it to continue to resolve disputes.

YouTube, Spotify and the CRTC declined to comment.