Canada Will Tighten Foreign Investments In Interactive Digital Media Sector

Canadian Innovation Minister, Francois-Philippe total, (photo: x @_MarkSutcliffe)

JAKARTA - Canada's Minister of Innovation, Francois-Philippemen, said on Friday March 1 that Canada would take firm action against foreign investment in the interactive digital media sector to prevent state-sponsored actors from threatening national security.

From now on, Ottawa will increase supervision of investments "by entities owned or influenced by foreign countries, especially countries involved in activities that could jeopardize Canada's national security," he said.

The terminology of interactive digital media includes video games and virtual reality devices.

"Sponsored or influenced actors of enemy countries may try to... spread disinformation and manipulate information,"xiversal said in a statement.

Although he has not identified any specific country, Canada has accused China and Russia of foreign interference several times. But the two countries denied the allegations.

"From now on, foreign entities wishing to invest in the sector may have to provide tighter guarantees for a longer period of time, especially related to creative independence, corporate governance, and transparency," he said.

Factors that Ottawa will look for when studying foreign investments submitted include the reach and audience of product content, whether products have online elements, and the level of control or influence that investors might have on Canada's business.