In a move that underscores the growing friction between Silicon Valley and governments worldwide, Apple and Meta have formally opposed Canada’s proposed Bill C-22. The legislation would give law enforcement expanded powers to access digital communications and respond more quickly to perceived security threats. The tech giants argue that the bill risks undermining the very encryption standards that protect hundreds of millions of users.According to a report published today by Yahoo Finance, both companies have submitted detailed objections, warning that the bill could force them to weaken or bypass encryption in their core products. What Is Bill C-22 and Why Does It Matter? Bill C-22 is designed to modernize Canada’s approach to online security and law enforcement. It aims to streamline how authorities obtain data from tech platforms during investigations involving child exploitation, terrorism, or other serious crimes. Proponents say faster access to encrypted messages is essential in an era of sophisticated online threats.Apple and Meta see it differently. Apple warned that broad implementation of the bill could compromise the privacy protections built into iMessage and iCloud. The company emphasized it would “never intentionally introduce flaws” into its products to enable surveillance. Meta raised similar alarms about WhatsApp, arguing that the bill grants authorities sweeping powers with minimal oversight and could effectively require carriers or platforms to weaken end-to-end encryption. In short, both companies fear the legislation would create backdoors — intentional weaknesses in encryption that could be exploited not only by Canadian authorities but potentially by malicious actors worldwide. Canada’s Response: “No Systemic Vulnerabilities” Canadian officials have pushed back against the criticism. They maintain that the bill does not require companies to introduce systemic vulnerabilities into their technology. Instead, they argue that tech firms remain fully responsible for keeping their systems secure while still being required to assist law enforcement when legally compelled. This back-and-forth mirrors a global pattern. Similar debates have played out in the UK (with the Online Safety Act), Australia, and the European Union. Governments want surveillance tools, ostensibly to fight crime; tech companies insist that weakening encryption for anyone ultimately weakens it for everyone. The Bigger Picture for Users and Investors For everyday users, the stakes are personal: • Strong encryption protects everything from private family chats to financial data and medical records. • If governments can mandate access, the “end-to-end” promise that many messaging apps advertise could become conditional. For investors, the story is equally important. Apple and Meta are already navigating complex regulatory landscapes in the EU (Digital Markets Act), the U.S., and elsewhere. Another high-profile fight in Canada could signal further legal and compliance costs ahead — or, conversely, set a precedent that strengthens the companies’ long-standing public stance on privacy. A Familiar Standoff This isn’t the first time Apple and Meta have taken a firm stand. Apple famously resisted the FBI’s demands in the San Bernardino case in 2015. Meta has repeatedly defended WhatsApp’s encryption against pressure from multiple countries. Today’s opposition to Bill C-22 fits squarely into that tradition: tech giants positioning themselves as defenders of user privacy against state overreach. Whether Canada’s lawmakers will amend the bill, force compliance, or reach some middle-ground compromise remains to be seen. What is clear is that the tension between national security and digital privacy shows no sign of easing. No backdoors! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple pushes back against Canada’s encryption bill appeared first on MacDailyNews. Invite your friends and earn rewards
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