Signal and Psiphon Vow to Leave Canada Over Bill C-22
Signal says the encryption bill would require unacceptable changes to its open source projects; Psiphon VPN says it will exit if the law passes.
Signal and Psiphon VPN have said they will leave the Canadian market if the country's proposed Bill C-22 passes, according to Wired. Signal said the legislation would require unacceptable changes to its open source projects, while Psiphon said it would exit Canada should the bill become law.
Bill C-22 can place requirements on technology companies, including those based outside Canada, to build technical capabilities that allow law enforcement to access data. It also contains provisions that could require companies to retain metadata about user activity.
Other companies have signalled similar concerns. DuckDuckGo and NordVPN said they would consider pulling their services from Canada, and Apple and Meta have criticized the bill.
The bill was first proposed in 2025 and was partially revised after criticism from technology companies and civil society. In May, members of the US House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees sent a letter to Canadian officials criticizing the legislation.
Pressure beyond Canada's borders
Canada's proposal follows sweeping surveillance reforms introduced in the UK and Australia in recent years that can compel companies to break their encryption. Encryption-threatening proposals have also emerged in the EU, France, India, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and others.
Quick answers
What is Canada's Bill C-22?
It is proposed legislation that could require tech companies, including those outside Canada, to build capabilities for law enforcement data access and to retain metadata on user activity.
Why is Signal leaving Canada?
Signal said the bill would require unacceptable changes to its open source projects.
Which other companies have objected to Bill C-22?
Apple and Meta have criticized the bill, while DuckDuckGo and NordVPN said they would consider pulling their services from Canada.