Canada bans behavioral ads targeting children in new privacy code

Canada's Office of the Privacy Commissioner unveiled its first Children's Privacy Code on October 20, 2026, banning behavioral advertising and AI profiling of minors, requiring verifiable parental consent for children under 13 and privacy-by-default settings. The code is guidance under PIPEDA for now, but sets the stage for Bill C-36 with penalties up to CAD $25 million or 5% of global revenue.

• Behavioral ads and AI profiling of minors are prohibited
• Verifiable parental consent required for children under 13
• Location tracking and third-party sharing default to off
• Bill C-36 would impose fines up to CAD $25M or 5% of revenue