Apple Warns Bill C-22 Would Force Tech Companies to Install Encryption Backdoors

Parliamentary hearings on Canada's Bill C-22 took place on May 26, 2026, featuring testimony from major technology companies, privacy advocates, and law enforcement representatives. Apple issued a stark warning about the legislation, stating that the bill would allow the Canadian government to compel companies to break encryption by inserting backdoors into their products. The hearings revealed significant confusion about the bill's scope and implementation, with one Liberal MP acknowledging uncertainty about how the legislation applies and another suggesting Apple should be pressured to cooperate more with lawful access initiatives. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada had submitted reform recommendations in advance, but these were not distributed to Members of Parliament before the proceedings. The hearing process itself faced criticism for being inadequate to address the complex issues raised by the proposed legislation. Parliamentary representatives spent the final 30 minutes unsuccessfully attempting to negotiate an extension to the hearings, signaling the committee's recognition that more time was needed to properly examine the bill. Apple's core message—that Bill C-22 poses genuine security and privacy risks—underscores the growing tension between government demands for law enforcement access and technology companies' commitment to protecting user data through encryption.