Ryan Fritsch
@upsideofdown.bsky.social
I run tech law reform projects for the Law Commission of Ontario, am a PhD candidate studying data brokering in Canada, make a wicked smoked salsa, and do other optimistic things: https://linktr.ee/rfritsch. Reposts not endorsements.
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Today @upsideofdown.bsky.social (Ryan Fritsch) joins Canada’s national Contract, Consumer, & Commercial Law Conference at @allard.ubc.ca to discuss legislative impacts of LCO's Consumer Protection project in Ontario & what’s next for digital consumer rights in Canada www.lco-cdo.org/en/our-curre...
Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace
Project Purpose
The LCO’s Improving Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace: Final Report is the first comprehensive, independent review of Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in over 20 ...
www.lco-cdo.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Today @upsideofdown.bsky.social (Ryan Fritsch) joins Canada’s national Contract, Consumer, & Commercial Law Conference at @allard.ubc.ca to discuss legislative impacts of LCO's Consumer Protection project in Ontario & what’s next for digital consumer rights in Canada www.lco-cdo.org/en/our-curre...
A great morning with @ojenroej.bsky.social at the @lawsocietylso.bsky.social. AI is coming to civil & crim justice. What first principles - Charter Rights, procedural fairness, evidence law - guide us in governing AI through Canadian values? And how do we teach this lens to teens? Law in action!
August 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A great morning with @ojenroej.bsky.social at the @lawsocietylso.bsky.social. AI is coming to civil & crim justice. What first principles - Charter Rights, procedural fairness, evidence law - guide us in governing AI through Canadian values? And how do we teach this lens to teens? Law in action!
Should AI influence bail or sentencing decisions? Are AI-powered needs assessments in heath and social sectors reliable? Valid? Accurate? Today the LCO Crim AI Project consults with Legal Aid lawyers at the intersection where AI, evidence law and procedural fairness meet.
www.lco-cdo.org/CrimAI
www.lco-cdo.org/CrimAI
AI in Criminal Justice
Project Overview
The Law Commission of Ontario’s AI in Criminal Justice Project is a groundbreaking survey and analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Canadian criminal justice system.
The pr...
www.lco-cdo.org
August 13, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Should AI influence bail or sentencing decisions? Are AI-powered needs assessments in heath and social sectors reliable? Valid? Accurate? Today the LCO Crim AI Project consults with Legal Aid lawyers at the intersection where AI, evidence law and procedural fairness meet.
www.lco-cdo.org/CrimAI
www.lco-cdo.org/CrimAI
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
The tech "seems designed to stymie any attempts at auditing, transparency, and accountability," according to a report by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Cops’ favorite AI tool automatically deletes evidence of when AI was used
AI police tool is designed to avoid accountability, watchdog says.
arstechnica.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The tech "seems designed to stymie any attempts at auditing, transparency, and accountability," according to a report by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
The fix is in.
No reason to trust city hall. This is an unfortunate thing.
No reason to trust city hall. This is an unfortunate thing.
public consultation results for dedicated transit lanes on bathurst+dufferin. note overwhelming support (75%+ dufferin, 67-68% bathurst) for transit priority+converting parking to transit lanes.
transportation services recommendations + councillor compromises do not reflect what people want.
transportation services recommendations + councillor compromises do not reflect what people want.
July 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The fix is in.
No reason to trust city hall. This is an unfortunate thing.
No reason to trust city hall. This is an unfortunate thing.
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
"For the child born this summer in Texas, whose parents receive no documents, whose name never appears in any system, and who grows up asking why she can’t go on field trips, apply for scholarships, or open a bank account, the consequences are not legal theory. They are her life."
The United States Is About to Embark on a Terrifying Experiment in Mass Statelessness
This scenario, until recently, might have read like a dystopian projection. But after the court’s decision on Friday, it is no longer hypothetical.
slate.com
June 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
"For the child born this summer in Texas, whose parents receive no documents, whose name never appears in any system, and who grows up asking why she can’t go on field trips, apply for scholarships, or open a bank account, the consequences are not legal theory. They are her life."
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Always bothered by the “what are we, China” discussions of surveillance, because Americans have done a bang-up job of creating their own expansive surveillance state, it’s just that lots of people are just beginning to notice.
Opinion | Can We See Our Future in China’s Cameras?
www.nytimes.com
June 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Always bothered by the “what are we, China” discussions of surveillance, because Americans have done a bang-up job of creating their own expansive surveillance state, it’s just that lots of people are just beginning to notice.
AI risk assessment and profiling tools may make generalized inferences and discriminatory assumptions that are unreliable, unfair, and can easily ruin lives. Should such tools have a role in Canadian courts?
themarkup.org/investigatio...
themarkup.org/investigatio...
The NYC Algorithm Deciding Which Families Are Under Watch for Child Abuse – The Markup
How a family’s neighborhood, age, and mental health might get their case a deeper look
themarkup.org
June 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
AI risk assessment and profiling tools may make generalized inferences and discriminatory assumptions that are unreliable, unfair, and can easily ruin lives. Should such tools have a role in Canadian courts?
themarkup.org/investigatio...
themarkup.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
LCO’s @upsideofdown.bsky.social (Ryan Fritsch) led a discussion yesterday at the Canadian national conference of civilian police oversight agencies about the challenges and opportunities of AI in criminal justice. Get involved in LCOs criminal AI consultations: www.lco-cdo.org/CrimAI
June 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
LCO’s @upsideofdown.bsky.social (Ryan Fritsch) led a discussion yesterday at the Canadian national conference of civilian police oversight agencies about the challenges and opportunities of AI in criminal justice. Get involved in LCOs criminal AI consultations: www.lco-cdo.org/CrimAI
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
“If the reports about Flock Nova are true, this is precisely the kind of dystopian panopticon we’ve warned about,” EFF’s @mguariglia.bsky.social told Government Technology News.
Flock’s Newest Police Tool Sparks Data Controversy
Flock Safety, a license plate reading tech firm that recently bought a drone company, is taking heat over the data sources for its new platform. It’s not the only law enforcement technology attracting...
www.govtech.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:06 PM
“If the reports about Flock Nova are true, this is precisely the kind of dystopian panopticon we’ve warned about,” EFF’s @mguariglia.bsky.social told Government Technology News.
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Canadian civil society and policy experts call on the government to advance a coherent digital policy reform agenda:
Civil society calls for overhaul of Canada’s approach to digital policy
OpenMedia works to keep the Internet open, affordable, and surveillance-free. We create community-driven campaigns to engage, educate, and empower people to safeguard the Internet.
openmedia.org
May 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Canadian civil society and policy experts call on the government to advance a coherent digital policy reform agenda:
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
An arson attack in Colorado had detectives stumped. The way they solved the case could put everyone at risk. www.wired.com/story/find-m...
3 Teens Almost Got Away With Murder. Then Police Found Their Google Searches
An arson attack in Colorado had detectives stumped. The way they solved the case could put everyone at risk.
www.wired.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
An arson attack in Colorado had detectives stumped. The way they solved the case could put everyone at risk. www.wired.com/story/find-m...
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
404 Media reports on the license plate reader company building a massive surveillance network that could help police more easily track people without a warrant or court order.
www.404media.co/lice...
www.404media.co/lice...
License Plate Reader Company Flock Is Building a Massive People Lookup Tool, Leak Shows
Flock, which has license plate readers (LPRs) all around the country, wants police to be able to “jump from LPR to person,” according to leaked audio obtained by 404 Media.
www.404media.co
May 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
404 Media reports on the license plate reader company building a massive surveillance network that could help police more easily track people without a warrant or court order.
www.404media.co/lice...
www.404media.co/lice...
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
ICYMI: We Robot 2025 has a new permanent online home @windsorlaw.bsky.social, along with 2 exciting updates:
🤖 Video links are now included for each of our panels. Revisit or check out the conversation if you couldn't join us in person.
🤖 And (see next post) 1/3
www.uwindsor.ca/law/3450/wer...
🤖 Video links are now included for each of our panels. Revisit or check out the conversation if you couldn't join us in person.
🤖 And (see next post) 1/3
www.uwindsor.ca/law/3450/wer...
May 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
ICYMI: We Robot 2025 has a new permanent online home @windsorlaw.bsky.social, along with 2 exciting updates:
🤖 Video links are now included for each of our panels. Revisit or check out the conversation if you couldn't join us in person.
🤖 And (see next post) 1/3
www.uwindsor.ca/law/3450/wer...
🤖 Video links are now included for each of our panels. Revisit or check out the conversation if you couldn't join us in person.
🤖 And (see next post) 1/3
www.uwindsor.ca/law/3450/wer...
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Records reviewed by WIRED show law enforcement agencies are eager to take advantage of the data trails generated by a flood of new internet-connected vehicle features. www.wired.com/story/police...
Car Subscription Features Raise Your Risk of Government Surveillance, Police Records Show
Records reviewed by WIRED show law enforcement agencies are eager to take advantage of the data trails generated by a flood of new internet-connected vehicle features.
www.wired.com
April 28, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Records reviewed by WIRED show law enforcement agencies are eager to take advantage of the data trails generated by a flood of new internet-connected vehicle features. www.wired.com/story/police...
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Here’s a peek at the Intro & Summary to the AI in Criminal Justice series, authored by Nye Thomas and Ryan Fritsch
Voici un aperçu de l'Introduction et sommaire de la série sur l’IA dans le système de justice pénale, rédigée par Nye Thomas et Ryan Fritsch
www.lco-cdo.org/wp-content/u...
Voici un aperçu de l'Introduction et sommaire de la série sur l’IA dans le système de justice pénale, rédigée par Nye Thomas et Ryan Fritsch
www.lco-cdo.org/wp-content/u...
April 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Here’s a peek at the Intro & Summary to the AI in Criminal Justice series, authored by Nye Thomas and Ryan Fritsch
Voici un aperçu de l'Introduction et sommaire de la série sur l’IA dans le système de justice pénale, rédigée par Nye Thomas et Ryan Fritsch
www.lco-cdo.org/wp-content/u...
Voici un aperçu de l'Introduction et sommaire de la série sur l’IA dans le système de justice pénale, rédigée par Nye Thomas et Ryan Fritsch
www.lco-cdo.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
The LCO's Ryan Fritsch (@upsideofdown.bsky.social) was featured in a Law 360 article discussing this week's launch of our AI in Criminal Justice issue papers series! Check out the article here: www.law360.ca/ca/articles/...
Law Commission of Ontario seeking answers on use of AI in criminal justice - Law360 Canada
The Law Commission of Ontario has started a public consultation process to explore the implications of artificial intelligence in the criminal justice system, seeking to gather diverse perspectives on...
www.law360.ca
April 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The LCO's Ryan Fritsch (@upsideofdown.bsky.social) was featured in a Law 360 article discussing this week's launch of our AI in Criminal Justice issue papers series! Check out the article here: www.law360.ca/ca/articles/...
An ambitious project made possible by many hands: 7 external authors, 13 advisory members, 7 summer law students, and the always great support staff at the LCO!
But we're just getting started!
Consultations will run province-wide throughout the spring and summer. Give me a holler and get involved!
But we're just getting started!
Consultations will run province-wide throughout the spring and summer. Give me a holler and get involved!
The LCO is excited to release its comprehensive AI in the Criminal Justice reports, including five papers examining the benefits, risks and governance of AI at every stage of the criminal justice process. Access them here: www.lco-cdo.org/en/our-curre...
April 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
An ambitious project made possible by many hands: 7 external authors, 13 advisory members, 7 summer law students, and the always great support staff at the LCO!
But we're just getting started!
Consultations will run province-wide throughout the spring and summer. Give me a holler and get involved!
But we're just getting started!
Consultations will run province-wide throughout the spring and summer. Give me a holler and get involved!
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Coming tomorrow! The LCO is releasing five papers on the use of AI in the Canadian criminal justice system. These groundbreaking reports were produced in collaboration with police, courts, government, defense counsel, academics, and others. Consultations to follow.
April 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Coming tomorrow! The LCO is releasing five papers on the use of AI in the Canadian criminal justice system. These groundbreaking reports were produced in collaboration with police, courts, government, defense counsel, academics, and others. Consultations to follow.
Thnx to local MPP @tomrakocevic.bsky.social who oversaw mock "legislative committee" hearings yesterday of a series of law reform proposals developed by students in the @osgoode.bsky.social course on Law Reform taught by the @lco-cdo.bsky.social.
March 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Thnx to local MPP @tomrakocevic.bsky.social who oversaw mock "legislative committee" hearings yesterday of a series of law reform proposals developed by students in the @osgoode.bsky.social course on Law Reform taught by the @lco-cdo.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
We Robot (the original We Robot conference, circa 2012) is only two weeks away!!!
Register now to save your spot! Join us in person at Windsor Law or join the conversation virtually. See www.werobot2025.ca for all the details.
Join us and get a sticker :)
Register now to save your spot! Join us in person at Windsor Law or join the conversation virtually. See www.werobot2025.ca for all the details.
Join us and get a sticker :)
March 20, 2025 at 6:44 PM
We Robot (the original We Robot conference, circa 2012) is only two weeks away!!!
Register now to save your spot! Join us in person at Windsor Law or join the conversation virtually. See www.werobot2025.ca for all the details.
Join us and get a sticker :)
Register now to save your spot! Join us in person at Windsor Law or join the conversation virtually. See www.werobot2025.ca for all the details.
Join us and get a sticker :)
Reposted by Ryan Fritsch
Last Monday 100 CEOs of European digital/tech companies wrote to EC to offer support for a #digital_sovereignty strategy.
This the time to move. #EuroStack. 1/
This the time to move. #EuroStack. 1/
March 22, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Last Monday 100 CEOs of European digital/tech companies wrote to EC to offer support for a #digital_sovereignty strategy.
This the time to move. #EuroStack. 1/
This the time to move. #EuroStack. 1/
Proud to see govt reflect LCO recs to modernize Ontario consumer leg/reg for ToS contracts like
- prohibiting tricks like hiding cancellation buttons
- right of consumers to post reviews
- upfront disclosure of total potential costs
- requiring plain language summaries of changes to terms of service
- prohibiting tricks like hiding cancellation buttons
- right of consumers to post reviews
- upfront disclosure of total potential costs
- requiring plain language summaries of changes to terms of service
Today, the LCO made its submission in response to the province's consultation on regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, 2023. Read more about the LCO's Consumer Protection project and access our submission here under 'Project Documents': www.lco-cdo.org/en/our-curre...
Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace
Project Purpose
The LCO’s Improving Consumer Protection in the Digital Marketplace: Final Report is the first comprehensive, independent review of Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in over 20 ...
www.lco-cdo.org
March 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Proud to see govt reflect LCO recs to modernize Ontario consumer leg/reg for ToS contracts like
- prohibiting tricks like hiding cancellation buttons
- right of consumers to post reviews
- upfront disclosure of total potential costs
- requiring plain language summaries of changes to terms of service
- prohibiting tricks like hiding cancellation buttons
- right of consumers to post reviews
- upfront disclosure of total potential costs
- requiring plain language summaries of changes to terms of service
Big thnx to @windsorlaw.bsky.social & host Marion Overholt for our chat this morning with 180+ first-year Access to Justice students and share insights from the @lco-cdo.bsky.social forthcoming AI in Criminal Justice series!
Publication of our papers and consultations begin in about two weeks!
Publication of our papers and consultations begin in about two weeks!
March 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Big thnx to @windsorlaw.bsky.social & host Marion Overholt for our chat this morning with 180+ first-year Access to Justice students and share insights from the @lco-cdo.bsky.social forthcoming AI in Criminal Justice series!
Publication of our papers and consultations begin in about two weeks!
Publication of our papers and consultations begin in about two weeks!