Bill S-252: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (consent to pornographic material)

This bill directly affects anyone running a pornographic content platform, adult video production company, or website that hosts or monetizes explicit sexual content — whether a solo operator or a large corporation. These businesses will need to collect, verify, and keep records of age and consent documentation (government-issued photo ID with date of birth and signature) for every person appearing in content before it can be published or distributed. Website operators must also set up a functional takedown system so that makers or depicted individuals can request removal of content, and must audit and potentially remove large volumes of pre-existing content that lacks proper consent documentation. Corporations are presumed to be operating commercially under the bill, meaning the compliance burden falls on them automatically. Penalties for non-compliance are severe — up to $500,000 in fines or 10 years imprisonment for indictable offences.