Apple and Google have raised concerns about a proposed Canadian law that they believe could create risks for user privacy and encrypted services. The bill, known as Bill C-22, is currently being discussed in Canada’s parliament and aims to give authorities access to information for investigating security threats and criminal activity, as per Reuters.
The proposed law has drawn comparisons with similar measures introduced in countries like the UK and Australia. Encryption is a security system that protects messages, photos, files and other information from being accessed by anyone except the sender and receiver. In end-to-end encryption, even technology companies themselves cannot read the content because they do not have access to the encryption keys.
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The Canadian bill does not directly tell companies to weaken encryption. However, Apple, Google and Meta have opposed the proposal because they worry it could allow authorities to issue private orders that may force companies to create ways to access encrypted services without informing users.
During a hearing before Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, representatives from Apple and Google asked lawmakers to add stronger protections for encryption and ensure judicial oversight for any such requests.
‘Secret orders are out of step with other democratic countries and would severely restrict companies’ ability to be transparent with users about how their data is protected,’ said Jeanette Patell, director for government affairs and public policy in Canada for Google.
Frank Caputo, a Conservative member from British Columbia, also asked Erik Neuenschwander,senior director for user privacy and child safety at Apple, whether the company would leave Canada if it was forced to create a backdoor into its devices.
‘I can’t speculate what would happen in that situation,’ Neuenschwander said. ‘Through this engagement and the continued dialogue, we hope to have positive amendments made to the bill.’