Apple and Meta have publicly opposed Canada’s proposed Bill C-22, warning that the legislation could force technology companies to weaken the encryption protecting their devices and online services. The bill, introduced by Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and currently under debate in Parliament, is aimed at giving law enforcement agencies faster access to data for investigating national security threats and serious crimes.
The proposed law is part of a wider global push by governments seeking greater lawful access to encrypted communications. However, tech companies argue that such measures could undermine digital security and user privacy. Apple stated that the bill, if implemented in certain ways, could compel firms to insert “backdoors” into products, potentially exposing users to cyber threats and surveillance. The company emphasized that it would never intentionally weaken the security protections built into its services such as iMessage and iCloud.
Meta also criticized the legislation, saying the bill’s broad powers and limited safeguards could make Canadians less secure rather than safer. Company representatives warned that the proposal might require platforms like WhatsApp to bypass or weaken end-to-end encryption or even install government surveillance tools. Canadian officials, however, denied that the bill would create systemic vulnerabilities, insisting that the law is designed to balance public safety with cybersecurity protections.
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