Apple and Google are pushing for amendments to Canada’s Bill C-22, which is proposed by the ruling Liberal Party and is currently being debated in the House of Commons. The companies argue that the bill, as drafted, could allow authorities to issue secret orders that would compel changes related to the encryption used in their software and devices. Apple and Google are therefore calling for judicial oversight to be built into the lawful-access process, aiming to add a court-supervised step rather than leaving key decisions solely to government mechanisms.
The outlets reporting on the matter describe the companies’ positions as formal submissions or requests for changes to the text of the bill. While the debate is ongoing, the core dispute centers on how the legislation would authorize access to encrypted communications and systems. Proponents of the bill are pressing ahead with their approach to online safety and lawful access, while Apple and Google are seeking guardrails they say would better protect users’ security and ensure transparency through judicial involvement.
