iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Facebook est la principale source d'info politique des Québécois. Mais sans les médias sur la plateforme, comment y discute-t-on de politique ? Cette semaine, on se penche sur l'information dans les groupes Facebook et sur les publicités à caractère social et politique. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

L'élection québécoise de 2026 est la première à l'ère de l'IA générative, soulevant d'importantes questions sur son utilisation, le potentiel de désinformation des électeurs et les biais possibles des agents conversationnels d'IA. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Avec la fin de la deuxième semaine de la campagne électorale québécoise, nous vous présentons notre deuxième mise à jour hebdomadaire sur l'écosystème de l'information au Québec. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Alberta is heading into a high-stakes referendum on Oct. 19 in a rapidly changing information environment. With more people getting their news from political influencers and AI search results, our latest report examines how the conversation is unfolding online. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

La campagne électorale québécoise est officiellement lancée, et avec elle, notre première mise à jour hebdomadaire sur l'écosystème de l'information au Québec. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

À l'approche des élections générales québécoises du 5 octobre 2026, notre rapport préélectoral examine l'écosystème informationnel du Québec dans un contexte marqué par l'évolution du paysage politique, technologique et numérique au Canada.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Les élections provinciales québécoises approchent à grands pas, le 5 octobre, et nous sommes là pour vous aider à comprendre le paysage politique et informationnel. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Événement hybride et gratuit 📍 Élections québécoises 2026 : Information, plateformes et démocratie

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Our latest incident report examines Canada's online reaction to the tragic June 2026 shooting in Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal, and the prevailing narratives that circulated during and following the crisis. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

In 2025–26, we witnessed a growing tech governance gap: visible during the 45th federal election, in AI systems absorbing Canadian journalism without paying, and in an influence network spreading Alberta secession to a mass audience before platforms or regulators noticed. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

On June 22, a shooting in Montreal left three people dead and a community shaken. The shooter outlined the intent of his actions in a manifesto, blending ideological motivations rooted in antisemitism, Marxism, far-right elements, and misogynistic incel-related beliefs. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Over the past three years, we've tracked how Canadians' information diets have shifted amid Meta's news ban and the rise of political influencers. Our latest brief draws on nearly 9M social media posts and a survey of 1,518 Canadians to see what's replacing journalism online. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Between May and June 2026, as part of a chatbot audit for online harm, we put the same request to four of the most widely used consumer AI chatbots. Here's what we found. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

After Monday's tragic shooting in Montréal, Senior Research Fellow Esli Chan joined CBC's The Current to discuss how the suspect's manifesto reflects incel ideology — and what authorities can do to prevent future incidents. 🧵

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David Hobson @dhobso.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Ever been interested in coordinated activity on Facebook? My team and I tracked 340 foreign-run accounts that are using AI to create fake news content targeting users in Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe. Here's a little exploration of the data using Toponymy and DataMapPlot

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Our new incident response report exposes a coordinated network of 340 Facebook pages, largely operated from Vietnam, flooding feeds across Canada, the US, the UK, and Europe with AI-fabricated news, and inadvertently funded by Canadian public and private advertisers. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Now that Canada has tabled #BillC34, the #SafeSocialMediaAct, we're asking what Canadians actually want from this framework. In May 2026, CMTD's Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO) fielded a national survey of 1,306 Canadians to explore this question. 🧵 #cdnpoli

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

As Canada debates #BillC34, the Safe Social Media Act, we are exploring some of the legislation's most consequential questions, starting with a policy research note on age verification methods by Andrew MacDougall.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

This morning @taylorowen.bsky.social and Nonso Morah spoke about Canada's new AI strategy on CBC's The Current with Matt Galloway. Check it out ⬇️ tinyurl.com/2abt6be5

tinyurl.com

Canada's AI strategy

The Current · Episode

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Want to learn more about youth online safety in Canada? Now you can! We put together a playlist from our Securing Canada's Digital Sovereignty event series, where you can watch all recordings from the latest event: A New Playbook for Youth Online Safety! 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

A year ago, child online safety legislation in Canada was on the verge of being scrapped. Today the Online Harms Act is back on the federal agenda and we were a leading voice in that reversal. We’re hiring to build on it. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

#GenZAI officially concluded in Ottawa last week. On April 30th, we welcomed participants to discuss the future of AI governance among policymakers including Senator Rosemary Moodie, the Honourable @evansolomon.bsky.social, and the Honourable Marc Miller. 🧵

Gen(Z)AI participants, youth fellows, and project leads posing for a group photo with the Honourable Evan Solomon (Minister of AI and Digital Innovation) and the Honourable Marc Miller (Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture). Photo by Lindsay Ralph.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

We kicked off Securing Canada's Digital Sovereignty: A New Playbook for Youth Online Safety with opening remarks from @petermacleod.bsky.social and @kbardeesy.bsky.social to get us thinking about what it means to protect youth in today's digital world.

Peter MacLeod (Founder and Principal, MASS LBP). Photo by Lindsay Ralph.

Karim Bardeesy (Member of the House of Commons of Canada). Photo by Lindsay Ralph.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

After a morning at our final Gen(Z)AI plenary (Canada's Youth Assembly on AI), we're back tonight in Ottawa for Securing Canada's Digital Sovereignty: A New Playbook for Youth Online Safety.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Young people are among the most exposed to and affected by AI systems. And yet they are rarely invited to shape its governance. #GenZAI was built on the conviction that this needs to change. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Breaking: CBC/ Radio-Canada investigation identifies Dutch YouTube creators behind Alberta separatist videos getting millions of views. 🧵 #AlbertaSeparatism

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

With a potential Alberta referendum ahead, we're releasing "Slopaganda," an incident response report documenting a network of inauthentic YouTube channels pushing coordinated, fake Albertan political commentary. 🧵#cdnpoli

Figure 3. Most viewed inauthentic video thumbnails.
Top 16 most viewed video thumbnails from the inauthentic channels.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

We rescheduled Securing Canada's Digital Sovereignty: A New Playbook for Youth Online Safety! Join us on April 30th in Ottawa to hear from youth advocates, policy experts and leading researchers about the current online harms policy landscape and explore potential solutions. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Are you a Canadian aged 17 –23? Your voice matters in shaping AI & age assurance policy. Following our fourth #GenZAI Forum in Halifax, you can now share your perspective through Make.org's civic dialogue platform here: tinyurl.com/yyzny4mn

tinyurl.com

React and contribute to collective reflection: AI and Age Assurance

A journey to discover to share your point of view.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Last night in NYC, @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social joined Ava Smithing for a live recording of Left To Their Own Devices, followed by a community showcase of organizations from across the US and Canada that Haidt called "the Woodstock of tech reform." 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Join us in New York City on March 31 for a FREE evening with @jonathanhaidt.bsky.social, bestselling author of The Anxious Generation, in conversation with Ava Smithing, Gen Z host of Left to Their Own Devices. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Canada's culture minister says it's time for a "serious conversation" about AI and news media. From @anjakaradeglija.bsky.social, @cdnpress.bsky.social (March 17, 2026) 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Data from the Centre's Media Ecosystem Observatory shows that 'looksmaxxing' is on the rise in Canada's online ecosystem, peaking in February following a viral video of Kick streamer Clavicular "getting brutally frame mogged by an ASU frat leader." 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

🚨 Due to the severe ice storm forecast for tomorrow and expected travel disruptions, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel Securing Canada’s Digital Sovereignty: A New Playbook for Youth Online Safety, scheduled for March 11 in Ottawa.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Are you a Gen Z Canadian (17–23)? We want to hear your thoughts on AI & data privacy! We just hosted our third #GenZAI forum, where 100 young Canadians drafted policy recommendations on AI data collection. Thanks to Make.Org, you can join the conversation here: tinyurl.com/yv6jz3rt

tinyurl.com

React and contribute to collective reflection: AI and Privacy

A journey to discover to share your point of view.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

In the wake of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, the Centre's Founding Director @taylorowen.bsky.social and Associate Director of Policy Helen Hayes published a policy memo calling on the Canadian government to scope AI chatbots into a revised Online Harms Act. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

@mathieulavigne.bsky.social spoke with @rorywh.bsky.social from @nationalobserver.com about our latest brief on online conspiracy theories and institutional distrust in Canada, from the Centre's Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO).

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

If you're interested in youth online safety, we've got the perfect event for you! Join us on March 11th in Ottawa to hear from youth advocates, policy experts and leading researchers about the current online harms policy landscape and explore potential solutions. 🧵

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The Tyee @thetyee.ca · 25/02/2026

A new study looking at how conspiracy claims spread on social media found that people who use X, formerly Twitter, are much more likely to both be aware of and believe conspiracy theories. @jenstden.bsky.social reports.

thetyee.ca

A ‘Tiny Minority’ of Social Media Accounts Drive Canadian Conspiracy Content | The Tyee

Researchers found conspiracy claims spread widely, but only some people believe them.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Our newest brief, “Conspiratorial Claims and Institutional Distrust in Canada’s Online Ecosystem,” examines how anti-institutional conspiracy theories circulate online and how widely they resonate with Canadians.🧵 #cdnpoli

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

How do Canadians feel about governing AI chatbots? Our new policy brief draws on nationally representative survey data from 1,454 Canadians, demonstrating overwhelming public concern across all surveyed risk categories and clear attribution of risk to AI companies.🧵 #cdnpoli

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Charlie Kirk's shooting drove widespread awareness, transforming him into a household name in Canada. As polarized online discussions spread, the CDMRN launched a joint-investigation with MEO, @disinfowatch.bsky.social, @dfrlab.bsky.social & @pearl-uoft.bsky.social 🧵 #cdnpoli

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Media Ecosystem Observatory @meo-cdmrn.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

🚨 MEO is moving 🚨 Follow @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social for updates on our information ecosystem research! 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

2025 was a pivotal year for AI. As attention turns to 2026, Founding Director at the Centre, @taylorowen.bsky.social, says we're approaching a turning point. As a leading expert on how AI and digital tech are reshaping democracy, here are his top 5 AI predictions for 2026. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

At #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned, Prof. Fen Osler Hampson (@carleton.ca) shared new insights from the Carleton–CIGI–Ipsos Trust in the Internet Global Survey. The data show growing global concern about online privacy and sharply divided trust in AI across regions and types of AI. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

At #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned, @justinhendrix.bsky.social (@techpolicypress.bsky.social) spoke with @milestaylor.bsky.social (former Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Homeland Security) about the erosion of democratic guardrails and the expanding capacity of executive power in the United States. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

This summer, David Suzuki received attention for his iPolitics interview titled: “‘It’s too late’: David Suzuki says the fight against climate change is lost.” This shift in tone led us to ask: Are Canadians Climate Doomers? @chrispyross.bsky.social 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

At #AttnGovernOrBeGoverned, @vassb.bsky.social (Managing Director, @canadianshieldinstitute.ca) asked Marcus Bokkerink (former Chair of the UK Competition & Markets Authority) and @lutherlowe.bsky.social (Head of Public Policy, Y Combinator), what does successful digital market regulation look like?

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Some jurisdictions have started regulating AI-enabled fraud. @taylorowen.bsky.social asked @ginasue.bsky.social (Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy, Cambridge) and Mediodecci Lustarini (Directorate General of Digital Space Monitoring, Indonesia) what Canada can learn from these models. 🧵

Taylor Owen, Founding Director, Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy, McGill University.

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