Apple signals a preference for constructive amendments through dialogue and points to past actions, such as removing encrypted cloud backups under pressure in the UK.

The debate pits modernization of lawful access against fears of expanded state power that could erode privacy and encryption.

Both companies and critics, including messaging services and civil-liberties groups, submitted amendments to address concerns about the bill’s reach.

Tailscale calls for safeguards like case-by-case court authorization and limits on broad metadata retention and mandated capabilities.

Canada’s Bill C-22, also known as the Lawful Access Act, is drawing furious pushback from tech giants and privacy advocates who warn that it could force backdoors or weaken end-to-end encryption while expanding government access to data.

Reuters notes the ongoing international debate over encryption and government access as Canada advances its debate on Bill C-22.

Meta, major VPN providers, and encrypted messaging apps like Signal have joined the resistance, threatening to withdraw from Canada or label the measures as dragnet surveillance if the current form is enacted.

Signal has threatened to exit the Canadian market rather than comply with the bill in its present form, underscoring the stakes for privacy-focused services.

Apple and Google lead the opposition, arguing that judicial oversight must serve as a floor, that the bill could enable covert data interception, and that they would consider drastic actions if backdoors are mandated.

The backlash is broad, with privacy advocates and big tech arguing the bill could erode encryption, enable pervasive surveillance, and impact global users of Canadian services.

Industry discussions are intensifying about encryption integrity and potential international ramifications as other countries scrutinize similar powers.

Experts warn that extending metadata retention and monitoring could raise unprecedented privacy and cybersecurity concerns and heighten breach risks.