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Or sign-in if you have an account.A man walks past the Google signage outside the US tech giant's Ananta office in Bengaluru on January 5, 2026. Photo by Idrees MOHAMMED / AFP via Getty ImagesAlphabet Inc.’s Google said Canada’s changes to a proposed law that would help police obtain citizen data from private companies don’t resolve many of its concerns.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor“We believe the government can support law enforcement without resorting to secret ministerial orders that put Canadians at risk,” a Google spokesperson said in an email, adding that the company would continue engaging on the issue.In a marathon session late Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals pushed through amendments to Bill C-22, known as the Lawful Access Act, in an effort to address heavy criticism from technology firms including Alphabet, Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againMajor changes to the bill include explicitly stating it will not require decryption of encrypted information — an industry concern — and reducing the metadata retention period to six months, instead of one year. Google had recommended that metadata not be kept at all.Apple, Meta and Google had slammed the law during consultations last month, citing privacy and security issues. And in a May interview with the Globe and Mail newspaper, encrypted messaging app Signal threatened to pull out of Canada if the law forced them to compromise user privacy.The amendments made Wednesday improve clarity and address feedback raised during the consultation process, a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in a statement.Apple said in an email that it was studying the amendment language.Canadian VPN company Tailscale Inc. welcomed the changes, but said they didn’t go far enough. “C-22 can still pressure secure services to retain data they otherwise wouldn’t keep, and to build technical access systems they otherwise wouldn’t deploy,” chief executive Avery Pennarun said in an email. “We oppose laws that make secure infrastructure harder to build.”Meta and Signal didn’t respond to requests for comment.Canada is the only Group of Seven country without legislation requiring electronic service providers to maintain and develop lawful access capabilities, Carney has said. The government previously rejected claims that the law would enable surveillance of Canadians through everyday devices.The bill has been fast-tracked for Senate review in the fall. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Google says Canada’s data law changes don't ease concerns
Google said Canada’s changes to a proposed law that would help police obtain citizen data don’t resolve many of its concerns. Read more.













