What's the news: Canada on June 21 approved legislation that would bring online streaming and audio/video sharing platforms under the authority of the country's broadcast regulator and force them to offer more local content, Reuters reported. What does it mean: Streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and social media sites like TikTok will have to offer more local content to a Canadian audience. For example, if a user in Canada searches for a do-it-yourself video on YouTube, a certain quota of the search result must be videos by Canadian creators. Why does the matter: Apart from being a regulatory burden on platforms, this legislation sets a precedent that might inspire other countries to follow in Canada's footsteps. As it is, India has been pushing for all things local and legislation similar to this might soon be on the radar of India's Ministry of Information Broadcasting. If other countries adopt similar measures it could harm Canadian creators who have a global audience, the opposite effect of what the Canadian government wants. For users of these platforms, this law could harm the quality of offerings as better international offerings might be demoted in lieu of local alternatives. "Canada would start the process of erecting international trade barriers to the current free exchange of cultural exports on open digital platforms that Canadian creators depend on." — YouTube said in a written brief submitted to Parliament, according to the Wall Street Journal TV and radio broadcasters already have a similar law: In Canada, television and radio broadcasters must…
