1984: The Canadian Edition

The piece argues that Canada’s proposed Bill C-22 would expand government surveillance by requiring digital services, including telecom providers and messaging apps, to assist law enforcement and potentially build access mechanisms into their systems. It criticizes the bill’s allowance for the Public Safety Minister to issue such orders, and rejects assurances that the powers would not create “systemic insecurity.” The writer says public attention and news coverage are inadequate, while the minister has dismissed objections as misreadings without addressing specific concerns. The central warning is that weakening secure services could damage both privacy and Canada’s technology sector.

The writer lists companies that say they may leave or reduce their Canadian operations if the bill passes. Signal says it would leave rather than betray users; NordVPN is considering limiting or ending its Canadian presence; and Canadian-based Tailscale warns that work and profits could shift abroad. Windscribe says it would move its headquarters and tax payments elsewhere. Other companies named as opposing the bill include Nord Security, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, Tucows, Coinbase, Tuta, and easyDNS. The writer plans to publish guidance on protecting privacy and moving to services less exposed to government demands, and urges Canadians to sign the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s petition against Bill C-22.