TLDR: A new report from CIRA indicates that the use of generative AI tools has more than doubled in Canada since 2024, with one in three Canadians now having used them. This surge in AI adoption is accompanied by a significant decline in public trust in social media platforms, particularly X, due to concerns over misinformation, polarizing content, and online safety. The report highlights widespread worries about AI-generated fake content and deepfakes.
OTTAWA, Ontario – July 15, 2025 – The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) today released its 2025 Canadian Internet Trends Report, formerly known as Canada’s Internet Factbook, shedding light on the evolving digital landscape as Canadians navigate economic uncertainties and rapid technological advancements. The comprehensive report, based on a national survey of 2,000 adult internet users, reveals a dramatic increase in the adoption of generative artificial intelligence tools alongside a sharp decline in public trust in social media platforms.
According to the findings, the use of generative AI tools has more than doubled since 2024, with a notable one in three Canadians having engaged with these technologies in the past year. Despite this significant embrace of AI, the report underscores a prevailing concern among Canadians regarding the potential for misinformation and deepfakes. A substantial 74 percent of respondents expressed worry about AI-generated fake content. The prevalence of deepfakes is also on the rise, with 34 percent of Canadians reporting encountering a deepfake in the past year, an increase from 20 percent in 2024. Public sentiment is clear on this issue, as nearly 80 percent believe deepfakes should be banned from social media, and 59 percent view them as a direct threat to democratic elections.
Concurrently, the report highlights a significant erosion of public trust in social media platforms. X, in particular, has seen its public trust continue to decline, now identified by 31 percent of Canadians as the top platform for promoting polarizing content and by 33 percent as the primary source of misinformation. The perception of safety on X has also plummeted by 20 percentage points since 2018. While alternatives like Bluesky have garnered some attention, only five percent of Canadians currently report using such apps.
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The report paints a complex picture of Canadian online behavior, extending beyond AI and social media to include shifting shopping habits and cybersecurity concerns. One in five Canadians has been a victim of a cyberattack or data breach, most often due to breaches at companies or services they use. While 61 percent feel confident in their ability to spot scams, the findings emphasize the critical need for organizations of all sizes to bolster their cybersecurity measures. The report also notes a strong preference among 64 percent of Canadians to shop online from Canadian retailers, with over half citing support for the local economy as their primary motivation.
