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The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 259: The Privacy and Surveillance Risks of AI Chatbot Reporting to Police

By Michael Geist on March 2, 2026
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Over the past ten days, Canada has witnessed one of the fastest-moving technology policy debates in recent memory. What began as reporting about a tragic act of violence – the shootings in Tumbler Ridge, BC –  quickly evolved into questions about AI safety, corporate responsibility, police reporting obligations, and now potential AI regulation.

This week’s Law Bytes podcast is a bit different from the norm. Building off my Globe and Mail op-ed, I walk through what has happened thus far, examine the potential policy responses, and explain why both the Online Harms Act and current AI legislative models are poorly suited to this problem, and argue that Canada instead needs to start thinking seriously instead about an AI Transparency Act.

The podcast can be downloaded here, accessed on YouTube, and is embedded below. Subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcast, Spotify or the RSS feed. Updates on the podcast on X/Twitter at @Lawbytespod.

Credits:

CBC News, OpenAI Must be More Clear About Commitment to Change: AI Minister, February 27, 2026

The post The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 259: The Privacy and Surveillance Risks of AI Chatbot Reporting to Police appeared first on Michael Geist.

Tags: AI
Photo of Michael Geist Michael Geist

Michael Geist is a law professor at the University of Ottawa where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law. He writes about all topics related to Canadian copyright reform, fair dealing, and technology on his blog.

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  • Posted in:
    Privacy and Cybersecurity, Technology and AI
  • Blog:
    Michael Geist
  • Organization:
    University of Ottawa
  • Article: View Original Source

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