Apple and Meta are formally opposing Canada’s proposed Bill C-22, arguing that the legislation could grant the government authority to force tech companies to weaken encryption or install backdoors.

Key Points

• Apple and Meta claim Bill C-22 would allow Canadian law enforcement to compel companies to bypass security features and install government spyware.
• The proposed legislation aims to expand investigative tools for Canadian authorities to access digital information during criminal investigations.
• Apple maintains that it will not build backdoors or master keys into its products, citing the need to protect users from malicious actors.
• Meta executives testified that the bill could force providers to circumvent zero-knowledge security architectures currently used to protect user data.
• The bill is currently under debate in the Canadian House of Commons following its introduction by the ruling Liberal Party.

Why it Matters

This legislative push highlights the ongoing global tension between government surveillance requirements and the privacy standards maintained by major technology firms. If passed, the bill could set a significant precedent for how international governments regulate digital security and access to encrypted user data.