Apple and Meta said Thursday that a proposed Canadian bill could force technology companies to weaken device encryption [1], [2].
The conflict centers on the balance between national security and individual privacy. If the legislation passes, it could fundamentally change how companies protect user data from unauthorized access, including from the companies themselves.
Apple said that Bill C-22 [1] would require the company to break encryption or provide back-door access to user data [3], [4]. The tech giant said that such a requirement would undermine the security and privacy of its global user base [1], [3].
Proposed by the ruling Liberal Party in the Canadian Parliament [1], [6], the bill aims to give authorities greater access to encrypted communications. However, Apple and Meta [3] said that creating a point of entry for law enforcement creates a vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The companies issued these public warnings on May 7, 2026 [2]. This pushback follows similar global tensions where governments seek to bypass end-to-end encryption to combat crime and terrorism.
Apple said the mandates in Bill C-22 would force the company to take drastic actions to maintain security standards [5]. The company said that the current wording of the bill creates a precarious environment for digital privacy in Canada [1].
“Bill C-22 could force [companies] to weaken device encryption.”
This dispute highlights a growing global trend of 'encryption wars' between sovereign states and Big Tech. By challenging Bill C-22, Apple and Meta are attempting to prevent a legal precedent in Canada that could be mirrored by other democratic nations, potentially ending the era of absolute end-to-end encryption for consumer electronics.
