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B.C. Tribunal Fines X C$100,000 for Failing to Remove Intimate Image

The decision rejects geofencing as inadequate, inviting additional daily fines if noncompliance continues.

Overview

  • A March protection order required X to remove the image from its service, delete or destroy it, and de-index it from search engines.
  • The tribunal found at least 92 days of noncompliance between April and July and imposed C$5,000 per day up to the C$100,000 statutory maximum, with payment due immediately.
  • X said it geofenced the image in Canada and argued the tribunal lacked authority beyond British Columbia, but the tribunal presumed the law’s validity and found X did not comply.
  • British Columbia’s Ministry of Attorney General said it is not aware of any steps taken by X, expects compliance and payment, and does not anticipate difficulty enforcing the ruling.
  • The ruling was published as the first penalty against an internet intermediary under the law, and the applicant may seek further C$5,000 daily penalties; the tribunal declined to award her costs due to AI-related errors in her submissions.