Apple and Meta have raised concerns about Canada’s proposed Bill C-22, which they argue could compel companies to create backdoor access to encrypted user data. The bill, introduced by the ruling Liberal Party, has drawn comparisons to a similar request made by the UK government in 2025, which demanded Apple provide access to all encrypted user content in the cloud. Apple refused and instead withdrew its Advanced Data Protection iCloud feature from the UK. The request was later dropped after concerns were raised about potential violations of a cloud data treaty involving U.S. citizens’ data.
In Canada, law enforcement officials argue that Bill C-22 would enhance their ability to investigate security threats more swiftly. However, Apple has expressed strong opposition, stating that the bill would compromise the privacy and security features that users expect. Apple maintains that creating backdoors would weaken encryption and expose user data to malicious actors. Meta has also criticized the bill, citing its broad powers and lack of oversight, suggesting it could ultimately reduce safety for Canadians.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has consistently argued against providing backdoor access, warning that it could lead to unauthorized access by cybercriminals. This stance was notably reinforced in 2016 when Apple resisted a U.S. order to unlock an iPhone involved in a criminal investigation. The debate over Bill C-22 is ongoing in the Canadian House of Commons.
