A proposed Canadian law that would grant police broader access to citizens' data is facing mounting opposition from major technology companies, including threats to withdraw from the country. Bill C-22, formally known as the Lawful Access Act, has passed two of three readings in the House of Commons and is now under review by a parliamentary committee before heading to the Senate for final approval.
Tech Giants Voice Concerns
Encrypted messaging app Signal has stated it would leave Canada if required to compromise user privacy under the legislation, as reported in an interview with the Globe and Mail earlier this month. Alphabet Inc.'s Google criticized the bill's "sweeping powers to issue secret orders mandating providers to create or maintain the technical capacity to facilitate data interception and retrieval," proposing a series of amendments in a letter to the parliamentary committee.
Apple Inc. echoed these concerns, asserting that the law "could allow the Canadian government to force companies to break encryption by inserting backdoors into their products – something Apple will never do."
International and Domestic Pushback
U.S. lawmakers have also entered the fray. Two congressional committee chairs wrote to Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, warning that the bill would "create significant cross-border risks to the security and data privacy of Americans." The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has likewise criticized the legislation.
Critics particularly focus on new provisions regarding metadata retention and government capabilities to extract information. Virtual private network providers have reacted negatively as well: NordVPN indicated on X that it would consider exiting Canada if the bill passed in its current form, while Canadian VPN provider Windscribe said it would leave, calling the bill "dragnet surveillance."
Government's Defense
Prime Minister Mark Carney's government defends the bill, noting that Canada is the only country among Five Eyes partners, the G7, and across the European Union without legislation requiring electronic service providers to develop lawful access capabilities. In an emailed statement, the government "categorically rejects claims that Bill C-22 would enable the surveillance of Canadians through everyday devices such as cars, home cameras or smart TVs, or that it would require companies to introduce so-called 'backdoors' into their products." Instead, a government spokesperson emphasized that the bill is designed to ensure police have the legal tools to "prevent, investigate and respond" to modern crime.
