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Trebek, the show's longtime host, confirmed the change in
rules after Canadian media noticed a change in eligibility on
the show's online registration page.
"It is true that for the most recent Jeopardy! contestant
tryouts, Canadians were precluded from taking the online test,
since the show must now comply with new rules set down by the
Canadian government," Trebek said in an email sent by Jeopardy's
public relations department on Monday.
Jeopardy is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a unit of
conglomerate Sony Corp.
The show did not specify what Canadian law it was concerned
about breaking. While Canada passed anti-spam legislation in
2014 and a new digital privacy law in 2015, it was unclear
whether either would prevent a Canadian from using "Jeopardy!"'s
online system for competing on the show.
A spokeswoman for Canada's Privacy Commissioner said their
office had not been involved in the matter and it was "not at
all clear what legal requirements are being referred to."
The move to ban Canadians from the show prompted some gnashing
of teeth as well as conspiracy theories surrounding the past
success of several Canadian contestants.
"Could it be we’re just too smart for Americans?" wondered a
columnist in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.
A story on Canadian Broadcasting Corp quipped that Trebek may be
the last Canadian standing on the quiz show, while the Globe and
Mail national newspaper asked, in "Jeopardy" question form:
"What is out of luck?"
However, Trebek noted that at least seven Canadians have
appeared on the show so far this season, including one who will
appear on Monday's show, and those who have already gone through
the eligibility process remain in the contestant pool for 18
months, meaning the ban will have a delayed effect.
"We look forward to having more try out as soon as we are sure
we can comply with all Canadian online privacy laws," Trebek
said.
(Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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