Bill 2: The Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Amendment Act

The businesses most directly affected are online platforms and internet intermediaries — think social media companies, web hosts, image-sharing sites, and search engines that operate in Manitoba or serve Manitoba users. These businesses will need to have active processes in place to respond to court orders requiring them to remove or de-index intimate images, and their existing content moderation and takedown procedures will face greater legal scrutiny. A limited liability protection is offered to internet intermediaries that can demonstrate they've taken reasonable steps to address unlawful distribution on their platforms, which effectively creates a compliance standard they need to meet. Larger platforms with dedicated legal and trust-and-safety teams are better positioned to adapt, but smaller hosting services or niche online communities may find the new obligations more burdensome to navigate.