Story perspectives

Liberals Amend Bill C-22, Protect Encryption, Spur Surveillance Fears

5/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Liberal government will amend Bill C-22 to protect end-to-end encryption after tech and privacy pressure.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the amendments on May 27, 2026.
Apple, Google and Meta testified the bill could force backdoors and asked for a narrower definition of systemic vulnerability.
Conservatives warned the amendments could create a surveillance state.
Liberals aim to pass the amended bill before the summer parliamentary break.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 the Clinton administration moved strong encryption to the Commerce Control List, fined RSA Security $10 million and forced Microsoft and Apple to ship 40-bit products. That episode, following earlier challenges such as Phil Zimmermann’s 1991 PGP release, showed weak-key mandates provoke industry pushback. Canada’s 2024 Bill C-22 amendment, announced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, revives backdoor demands, drawing criticism from Apple, Google and Meta.

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Story summary

Liberal government will amend Bill C-22 to protect end-to-end encryption after tech and privacy pressure.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the amendments on May 27, 2026.
Apple, Google and Meta testified the bill could force backdoors and asked for a narrower definition of systemic vulnerability.
Conservatives warned the amendments could create a surveillance state.
Liberals aim to pass the amended bill before the summer parliamentary break.

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