Apple Warns Canada's Bill C-22 Could Force Encryption Backdoors
11 hours ago
- #tech-policy
- #encryption
- #privacy-legislation
- Apple and Meta oppose Canada's Bill C-22, citing concerns it could force backdoor access to encrypted user data.
- Bill C-22, proposed by the Liberal Party, has provisions that might resemble a UK data access order from 2025, which Apple refused by withdrawing its Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK.
- Apple argues the bill undermines privacy and security, as it could allow the government to force companies to break encryption, which Apple states it will never do.
- Meta criticizes the bill for having sweeping powers, minimal oversight, and lacking clear safeguards, potentially making Canadians less safe.
- Apple CEO Tim Cook and cybersecurity experts warn that backdoor access would eventually be exploited by bad actors, referencing Apple's 2016 standoff in the San Bernardino case.
- The bill is currently under debate in the Canadian House of Commons, with law enforcement claiming it would help investigate threats more quickly.