B.C. Attorney General Responds to Social Media Giant’s Legal Challenge

British Columbia’s Attorney General, Nikki Sharma, has expressed her deep concern regarding a legal challenge filed by social media company X Corp. against an order to remove a non-consensual intimate image from its platform. The order, issued by the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal, mandates the removal of the image under the province’s Intimate Images Protection Act.

The case originated when a transgender complainant from British Columbia, whose identity is protected in court documents, sought a protection order earlier this year. Following the tribunal’s directive, X Corp. stated that it “promptly complied” by implementing geo-blocking measures to restrict access to the image within Canada. However, the company did not remove the image globally, leading to further legal action.

Legal Actions and Implications

In September, the tribunal imposed a penalty of $100,000 on X Corp. for failing to delete the image globally, arguing that merely blocking access in Canada was inadequate. The tribunal’s decision highlighted the importance of comprehensive protection for individuals whose intimate images are shared without consent.

X Corp. has responded by filing a petition in the B.C. Supreme Court, arguing that a “global blocking order” would infringe on the sovereignty of foreign nations and could potentially threaten free speech. The company’s petition raises concerns that such orders could allow foreign governments to demand the removal of content that contradicts their laws, including statements made by Canadian officials.

The company contends that if courts in different countries can issue global blocking orders based on their own legal frameworks, it would create a scenario where the most restrictive laws dictate internet content availability. According to X Corp., this precedent could empower authoritarian regimes to limit freedom of speech and access to information.

Government Response

In light of X Corp.’s actions, Sharma announced that the provincial government intends to intervene in the case to uphold the integrity of the intimate images law. In a statement released on November 13, 2025, she emphasized, “Under B.C. law, these images must be removed when ordered to do so, without exceptions. Blocking access only within our borders is not enough. Survivors deserve real protection, not half measures.”

The complainant has also reacted to X Corp.’s petition, labeling it an “abuse of process and a collateral attack” on the tribunal’s lawful order. This ongoing legal dispute highlights the complex interplay between technology, law, and individual rights in the digital age, as the government seeks to ensure robust protections against the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

The outcome of this case may have significant implications not only for the parties involved but also for the broader landscape of online safety and privacy rights in Canada and beyond.