Apple and Google's parent company Alphabet on Tuesday pushed to amend a cybersecurity bill currently being considered by the Canadian Parliament to increase judicial scrutiny of what the company called “possible secret orders” aimed at cracking the encryption of its software and devices. Bill C-22 was proposed by Canada's ruling Liberal Party and is currently being debated in the House of Representatives. The bill is similar to measures already enacted in the UK and Australia, and aims to give law enforcement officials access to encrypted data. Canadian authorities said the bill would help them investigate security threats earlier and act more quickly. So-called “end-to-end” encryption means that no one — including law enforcement and tech companies — can access data without a key. The Canadian bill does not specifically require tech companies to break the encryption of their devices, but Apple, Google, and Meta Platforms have all publicly voiced opposition. The tech companies believe the bill will establish a regulatory environment where authorities may issue secret orders requiring the implantation of a back door into a service or device without disclosing that back door to users or the public.

Apple and Google's parent company Alphabet on Tuesday pushed to amend a cybersecurity bill currently being considered by the Canadian Parliament to increase judicial scrutiny of what the company called “possible secret orders” aimed at cracking the encryption of its software and devices. Bill C-22 was proposed by Canada's ruling Liberal Party and is currently being debated in the House of Representatives. The bill is similar to measures already enacted in the UK and Australia, and aims to give law enforcement officials access to encrypted data. Canadian authorities said the bill would help them investigate security threats earlier and act more quickly. So-called “end-to-end” encryption means that no one — including law enforcement and tech companies — can access data without a key. The Canadian bill does not specifically require tech companies to break the encryption of their devices, but Apple, Google, and Meta Platforms have all publicly voiced opposition. The tech companies believe the bill will establish a regulatory environment where authorities may issue secret orders requiring the implantation of a back door into a service or device without disclosing that back door to users or the public.