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Natasha Tusikov

@ntusikov.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1.8K following 151 posts

She/her. Assoc. prof at York University in Toronto. All things tech governance, especially internet of things, smart cities, femtech & platform governance. Book (open access): The New Knowledge: Information, Data & Remaking of Global Power

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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
instead of trying to salvage dying ideologies (represented here by the Investment Canada Act), Canada needs new approaches for a new world. We need a national conversation about where Canada is, where it should be going, and how we should get there. The longer we delay, the greater the cost.
policyoptions.irpp.org
Open letter to the next prime minister: We need a royal commission on Canada’s future
(Version française disponible ici) Sign up for A Stronger Canada for The Trump Era. A temporary newsletter with the latest Canada-U.S. analyses from Policy Options. There is no longer any room for dou...
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
FrameToFrameNature @frametoframenature.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"At a time when British Columbia Premier David Eby is championing buying Canadian, BC Ferries may be preparing to enter a multi-year agreement to buy fuel from an American-owned company" Why not #BuyCanadian Eby? #BoycottUSA #BCElection thetyee.ca/News/2026/10...
thetyee.ca
BC Ferries Heads to $1.3-Billion Deal with US-Owned Fuel Supplier | The Tyee
Despite Eby’s ‘buy Canadian’ focus, a firm with MAGA connections is the likely contract winner.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
blair @blairaf.com · 01/10/2026
The operational backbone of Canadian government & academia exists on Microsoft Google AWS infrastructure but instead of a serious conversation about building foundations for public interest digital infra we are much more fixated on the hot shiny AI toys
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“New legislation around AI chatbots in Canada was introduced in June, but it focuses on increasing safety requirements to protect children online, not consumer rights.” Canada needs to get serious about digital regulation.
cbc.ca
Overnight, Meta deleted all her accounts. AI customer service won’t let her reach a human | CBC News
Toronto resident Jasmine Ault says Meta disabled her accounts overnight, without giving her a reason, and that she's been unable to get past their AI chatbots to speak to a human to resolve the error....
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A successful regulatory strategy would recognize these companies as bad actors whose business model almost compels them to act against the public interest, as in this story. They require hard, punitive regulations and enforcement, as @ntusikov.bsky.social and I explain here.
policyoptions.irpp.org
Canada can’t regulate Big Tech by trusting Big Tech
Bill C-34 puts too much faith in Big Tech. Canada should regulate the algorithms, data practices and business models that drive online harm.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Signed. Please read & sign!
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Ecojustice @ecojusticecanada.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Great news! 🎉 Following the federal government’s attempt to stop the youth and NGO-led climate accountability case from proceeding, the court has sided with litigants, finding no legal or factual basis to throw out the case. Onward. Support youth climate litigants now ecojustice.ca/take-action/...
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Anyway, @ntusikov.bsky.social and I wrote the book on it. Click on “Online Access“ for the free OA copy. Start with Chapter 5: Ideology, Dataism and the New Experts. www.bloomsbury.com/ca/new-knowl...
bloomsbury.com
The New Knowledge
From the global geopolitical arena to the smart city, control over knowledge-particularly over data and intellectual property-has become a key battleground for…
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
AI note-taking apps are not ready for prime time and, as @ntusikov.bsky.social argues here, the response from Canadian regulators has been severely lacking. Both the doctors who use it and the companies that supply it should be wholly liable for any and all errors it produces.
cigionline.org
Canada’s AI Strategy for Health Care Won't Work without Oversight to Match
Before AI can deliver on its health-care promise, Canada needs to close the gap between adoption and regulation.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
New from me: Canadian doctors are rushing to adopt AI medical scribes, but there are serious problems with accuracy, bias, transcription error, & reliance on industry data. Many scribes aren't regulated, leaving doctors to figure out risks like privacy & bias. www.cigionline.org/articles/can...
cigionline.org
Canada’s AI Strategy for Health Care Won't Work without Oversight to Match
Before AI can deliver on its health-care promise, Canada needs to close the gap between adoption and regulation.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Yup. The reason @ntusikov.bsky.social and I are comfortable saying that people *will* (not may, will) be harmed and die from the Carney government’s AI strategy is because it’s already happened. The goal is to get us to accept these deaths and ruined lives as the price of progress.
policyoptions.irpp.org
Carney’s AI push risks harm as Ottawa automates public services
From immigration errors to social-assistance breakdowns, early use of automated systems shows how public services can fail without human judgment.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New from me (paywall): Voluntary agreements lack transparency, efficacy & serve corporate interests. Canadians are making clear their strong opposition to AI data centres: the federal govt is abdicating its governance role in hiding behind a voluntary framework. www.hilltimes.com/2026/09/09/w...
hilltimes.com
Why Canada’s new voluntary framework for AI data centres won’t work - The Hill Times
Voluntary principles, as outlined in the government’s national framework for AI, have no legally binding force. They typically lack efficacy and transparency, even as governments and tech companies of...
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New from Marika Jeziorek & me: Canada's approval of Natural Cycles as a contraceptive app raises serious questions about apps licensed as "medical devices." We argue health regulators need to make it clearer what is actually licensed & real-world performance. policyoptions.irpp.org/2026/09/birt...
policyoptions.irpp.org
Natural Cycles birth-control app needs stronger Health Canada oversight
Canada’s licensed birth-control app needs clearer oversight, real-world monitoring and stronger safeguards for sensitive reproductive data.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Dale Smith @journodale.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This is what Carney's new Digital Transformation Canada should be doing, not trying to find new ways to implement digital asbestos.
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Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦 @jbroschek.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
An evident threat for Canadian sovereignty. Yet, didn't make it on the list of 7 government priorities, as outlined in the mandate letter under the heading: "The Context: A Generational Challenge" www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/scien...
theglobeandmail.com
Ottawa issues comprehensive climate report that reflects country’s physical transformation
From retreating glaciers to wildfires and marine heat waves, climate change will likely become even more pronounced, assessment finds
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I'd go farther. This report should be accompanied by a meeting -- call it a Summit -- of global leaders, led by a PM using his unprecedented global political capital to address the most pressing crisis ever, one that directly threatens Canadians. Instead, we're getting a sales conference.
nationalobserver.com
Carney government accused of burying climate report warning of worsening impacts
The report, which analyzes the impacts of climate change in Canada, was posted to a government website with no fanfare on Thursday evening ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
@ntusikov.bsky.social and I wrote this oped about social media regulation, but its main point stands here. Regulatory theory tells us that voluntary agreements don't work with bad actors. The companies listed above are some of the least trustworthy of the past several decades. This is just empty PR.
policyoptions.irpp.org
Canada can’t regulate Big Tech by trusting Big Tech
Bill C-34 puts too much faith in Big Tech. Canada should regulate the algorithms, data practices and business models that drive online harm.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Non-binding 'expectations'? Solomon & Carney are not serious about governing data centres in Canada; they're offside w/ the large & growing anti-data centre public sentiment. These companies won't comply w/ voluntary 'rules.' They have lied about energy & water use. This is weak & shameful.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Calgary Climate Hub @calgaryclimatehub.ca · 02/09/2026
"Given how quickly #MarkCarney killed our #AntiGreenwashing laws it's doubtful we'll see any #Renewables -friendly data centre LEGISLATION & ENFORCEMENT on his watch absent real pressure from the Canadian people. His inner circle trumpet #DataCentres as a brand new lucrative market for #NaturalGas."
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
“But these problems can’t be regulated away.“ Yes, they can. In fact, bad behaviour and Canadian overreliance on US tech platforms can *only* be dealt with effectively through government regulation, *not* leaving it up to individuals to try to wean themselves off of these de facto monopolies.
thestar.com
Justin Ling: It’s time Canada logged out of tech platforms owned by Donald Trump toadies
If our institutions acted, they could hasten the ongoing exodus from services peddled by allies of the Trump administration.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Anyway, both @ntusikov.bsky.social and I are happy to talk with any reporters or government officials who would like to discuss how to deal with these problems.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
In reality, Canada still faces the Sidewalk Labs problem, since US tech is embedded in all parts of government and society, from Microsoft office products to governments’ continued insistence on using X to make announcements. Unlike Europe, they”re doing nothing to change this. From Jan:
theconversation.com
Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
As the U.S. government becomes increasingly authoritarian and issues threats to other countries, can Canadians trust U.S. tech companies with their data?
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
And just imagine the crisis Toronto, Ontario, and Canada would be facing if Waterfront Toronto’s deal with Google’s Sidewalk Labs had gone ahead: a neighbourhood effectively controlled by a company under Trump’s thumb. From 2019. theconversation.com/sidewalk-lab...
theconversation.com
Sidewalk Labs proposals put the fox in charge of the henhouse
Regulating Sidewalk Labs proposed developments poses new challenges for assigning responsibility and oversight.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
On the home front, the need for Canada to regulate US tech companies has been there for a very long time. From 2022. www.cigionline.org/articles/sho...
cigionline.org
Should American Democracy Founder, Don’t Expect Big Tech to Lead the Resistance
Technology firms will do what they always do: attempt to dominate foreign markets in ways that suit their material interests.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
And as late as 2021, when we published this edited volume, “digital sovereignty” was treated by most digital activists and many, many Internet governance scholars as tantamount to totalitarianism. Open access. www.routledge.com/Power-and-Au...
routledge.com
Power and Authority in Internet Governance: Return of the State?
Power and Authority in Internet Governance investigates the hotly contested role of the state in today's digital society. The book asks: Is the state
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A quick reading list. Natasha literally wrote the book on how the US and other powerful states get companies to do what they want in the absence of actual laws, in 2016. www.ucpress.edu/books/chokep...
ucpress.edu
Chokepoints by Natasha Tusikov - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This is a good example of what @ntusikov.bsky.social and I have been warning about for years: US tech companies are uniquely susceptible to extra-legal US government pressure (Google isn’t compelled to change Lake Ontario’s name.) Because of this, they represent a direct threat to Canadian autonomy.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Carlo Dade: “Canada walked into the stadium without studying the game film of the opponent.” Harsh take on Canada's negotiating strategy, which led to a panicked final week that anyone who's been paying attention for the past 18 months should have seen coming and prepared for.
thewalrus.ca
Seven Experts on How Canada Survives Trump’s Trade War | The Walrus
The country faces a punishing economic and political fight with no easy end
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Dr. Tanya Lentz, R.Psych. @pednpsy.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The world leaders writing strongly worded letters to Israel has achieved nothing other than more harm to Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. Scolding a country for genocide is merely an act to appear you are doing something. Stop sending Israel supplies and weapons. @mark-carney.bsky.social
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My new co-edited volume! Thanks to terrific co-editors @bhaggart.bsky.social & @k8henne.bsky.social! See my chapter for how IoT makers exert control over device ownership, lifespan & use, including with trains & jets. These issues have national security & sovereignty angles w/ an authoritarian US.
Image shows book cover, entitled Information, Technology and Control in a Changing World: Understanding Power Structures in the 21st Century published by Palgrave Macmillan. Top of the cover is orange with the bottom have showing puzzle pieces on a flat surface.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Is it really the position of the Carney government that Canadian voters are not entitled to know what Carney thought he had a mandate to negotiate away, and what he thought was a fair deal from Trump, a man who can’t be trusted to keep his word?
thestar.com
Canadians can’t see the rejected U.S. trade deal. Here’s why
Pierre Poilievre has called on the government to "release the proposed text" so that Canadians can see the American demands that prompted the breakdown in negotiations.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Australia dismayed by Trump administration's vow to 'dismantle' International Criminal Court "Dismayed" is a bit weak compared to others who have condemned the Trump regime's actions, but it's heaps better that Canada's full-on silence. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08... #ICC
abc.net.au
Australian officials warn of 'destructive' US move to 'dismantle' ICC
There are real concerns within the Australian government about what US President Donald Trump is doing in regards to sanctioning the International Criminal Court, government sources tell the ABC.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Stoked this terrific edition is finally out! For those wanting a copy of my chapter on the Internet of Things examining changes to how we understand ownership & control (including right to repair) contact me. I discuss trains, fighter jets, & medical devices!
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Carney was ready to sign a deal with someone who can’t be trusted. He was prepared to pay for the illusion of certainty. This broke down over price.
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Nick Tsergas @nicktsergas.ca · 21/08/2026
According to a Senate of Canada brief, for every gallon of water used to cool US datacentres, 12.4 gallons were used to cool those datacentres’ power plants. Closed-loop can sleight-of-hand water usage away from the datacentres to the power plants. @its.small.patatas.ca @cdnaffairs.bsky.social
canadianaffairs.news
Op-Ed: AI data centres face waves of municipal resistance — for good reason
Responsible municipalities are taking the time to develop guardrails before saying 'yes' to AI data centres
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
France *condemns* all forms of threats and coercive measures against the ICC. Spain *deplores* new sanctions from Trump administration. Germany *reaffirms* its support for the ICC. The Netherlands *stands firmly behind the ICC*. Canada: 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗 cc: @anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Absolutely right 👇 The IDF's decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the killing of World Central Kitchen staff, including a Canadian is *unacceptable*. So, now what? Canada can step in. It has the laws and abilities to open its own criminal investigation. Do it.
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Richard Reeleder @nbdatapoints.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Very concerning. Are we getting short term gain for long term pain when we should be doing the opposite?
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Angella MacEwen @angella.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Go ahead and stock it, we’re still not gonna buy it.
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Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Ah, yes, the slogan that won Mark Carney the prime ministership and wowed the world at Davos: "the greatest possible U.S. market access for Canadian businesses." Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?
cbc.ca
Canada looking for 'greatest possible' access to U.S. market in deal, Carney tells premiers - Carney asks provinces to return U.S. booze to shelves as trade deal being finalized, N.S. premier says
Carney briefed all 13 provincial and territorial premiers on the state of Canada-U.S. trade talks today, as negotiators continue to hammer out a potential deal. A statement by the Prime Minister's Off...
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
A key pillar of Ontario's new 'Data Centre Playbook' is digital & data sovereignty. What does this mean to the Ontario govt? Will US firms with a location in Canada be considered 'Canadian'? That seems to be the federal govt's definition. That's problematic. news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
news.ontario.ca
Ontario Newsroom
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
These fires aren’t the new normal: they’re the baseline for even-worse outcomes, thanks to politicians like Eby. Someone should ask Eby to justify his ongoing plans to make BC forest fires even more destructive, with even greater loss of live, through the building of more pipelines.
theglobeandmail.com
Okanagan wildfire’s speed could be ‘new normal,’ Eby says
Blaze that forced more than 20,000 people out of their homes was about 184 square kilometres Wednesday, having grown by about 6.5 square kilometres overnight
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Reposted by Natasha Tusikov
My IRL friends call me Chris @christyceeck.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Is anyone going to point out the hypocrisy of Eby doing this while throwing his support behind oil and gas extraction and increasing emissions that supercharge wildfires? He has no shame. It must be like shaking hands with an arsonist. #bcpoli
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Defending the ICC is about defending Sovereignty A version of the following article was originally published in the Globe and Mail, and relates to the implications of Canada's decision to allow ICC suspect Benjamin Netanyahu to travel through its airspace. However, Canada was not alone. As covered…
justiceinconflict.org
Defending the ICC is about defending Sovereignty
A version of the following article was originally published in the Globe and Mail, and relates to the implications of Canada's decision to allow ICC suspect Benjamin Netanyahu to travel through its airspace. However, Canada was not alone. As covered in some depth here, other states and ICC members - including Greece, Italy, and France - have permitted Netanyahu to fly over their territories.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
As a signatory to the open letter, I'm disappointed but not surprised. The Canadian govt has a weak view of digital sovereignty, seeing the US as a partner, not a threat. With a US firm's purchase of Moneris, Canada lost more control over its financial infrastructure to an authoritarian US.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A must read: "Health Canada slow-walked the release of [safe supply expert] reports, devalued them with carefully selected language, leveraged a ministerial shuffle, weaponized access to information loopholes, & leaned on the DULF court case to keep the reports invisible."
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
A majority of Canadians oppose financial incentives for data centre builds, especially youth. Bad news for Carney's plans to build 'trust' in AI as water & electrical usage & environmental harm top list of concerns. All this as BC burns. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Majority of Canadians oppose government support for AI data centres, poll shows
Respondents cite high electricity demand, environmental harm and heavy water use as their top concerns
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Joan Baxter @joanbaxter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Just listened to 25 minutes of CBC The Current coverage of the BC wildfires and did not hear a single mention of climate change. Not from the host JP Tasker and not from any of the guests. Journalistic malpractice from our public broadcaster.
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Natasha Tusikov @ntusikov.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Facebook in Australia is paying ad revenue to neo-Nazis in its invitation-only scheme, another clear indication that Canada's Safe Social Media Act (C-34) won't work. These companies won't comply with a "duty to act responsibly." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08...
abc.net.au
Facebook pays controversial creators to produce rage-bait content
An ABC NEWS Verify investigation reveals Facebook is directly funding some controversial Australian content creators including a white nationalist and an anti-vaxxer influencer.
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Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The point below is from a very good @davekarpf.bsky.social post about AI data centres, but it also reflects the logic in my and @ntusikov.bsky.social’s critique of the duty to act responsibly as an ineffective policy for regulating tech companies.
policyoptions.irpp.org
Canada can’t regulate Big Tech by trusting Big Tech
Bill C-34 puts too much faith in Big Tech. Canada should regulate the algorithms, data practices and business models that drive online harm.
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