Tech giants Apple and Google have urged Canadian lawmakers to amend a proposed online safety bill to include stronger judicial oversight and explicit protections for encryption, warning that the legislation could allow secret government orders forcing companies to weaken digital security.

The concerns were raised during testimony before Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security as lawmakers debate Bill C-22, a proposal introduced by the ruling Liberal government aimed at strengthening law enforcement access to encrypted data.

The legislation is similar to measures previously introduced in countries such as Britain and Australia, where authorities have sought expanded powers to access encrypted communications for national security and criminal investigations.

Apple, Google, and Meta have all opposed aspects of the Canadian bill, arguing that it could create a regulatory framework allowing authorities to secretly compel technology firms to build “backdoors” into devices and services without informing users.

Google’s Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy in Canada, Jeanette Patell, warned lawmakers that secret orders would undermine public trust and transparency.

“Secret orders are out of step with other democratic countries and would severely restrict companies’ ability to be transparent with users about how their data is protected,” Patell told the committee.

Apple also raised concerns about the potential implications of the bill. Erik Neuenschwander, Apple’s Senior Director for User Privacy and Child Safety, emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting user privacy and encryption standards.

The issue gained additional attention after reports that Apple previously received a confidential order in the United Kingdom seeking access to encrypted data, prompting the company to withdraw certain encrypted cloud backup features from the British market.

During the hearing, Conservative lawmaker Frank Caputo asked whether Apple would consider leaving Canada if forced to weaken encryption protections.

Neuenschwander declined to speculate but said Apple hoped lawmakers would make “positive amendments” to the bill through ongoing discussions.

Canadian authorities maintain that the proposed legislation is necessary to help law enforcement agencies investigate threats, criminal networks, and security risks more effectively in an increasingly digital environment.

However, privacy advocates and technology companies warn that weakening end-to-end encryption could expose users to cybersecurity risks and undermine digital privacy protections globally.