Canada's new rules of installing computer programs come into force

Canada's new rules for installing computer programs came into force Thursday, making it now illegal for a website to automatically install software on a visitor's computer or for an app on the phone to be updated without first obtaining consent.

The new rules are part of Canada's anti-spam legislation that came into effect on July 1, 2014. They are designed to protect Canadian consumers from the most damaging and deceptive forms of spam and online threats while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace.

"We have been actively informing Canadian businesses about the new requirements for installing computer programs and our goal is to ensure they comply with these new rules," said Manon Bombardier, Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer of Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Thursday.

Under the legislation, the CRTC has the primary enforcement responsibility and is able to investigate, take action against and set administrative monetary penalties against those who are not in compliance.

Canadians are encouraged to report suspected violations of Canada's anti-spam legislation to the Spam Reporting Center. The information sent to the center is used by the CRTC, the Competition Bureau, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to enforce Canada's anti-spam legislation.

"We continue to work to protect Canadian consumers from spam and online threats and want to remind Canadians of the importance of reporting spam to the Spam Reporting Center," Bombardier said. Endite