The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, May 9, edition that two U.S. congressional committees have warned Canada's Public Safety Minister that his lawful-access bill, Bill C-22, could weaken defences against hackers and harm United States national security. The Globe's Marie Woolf writes that in a letter to Gary Anandasangaree, the committees expressed concern that the bill would expand Canada's surveillance powers, creating significant cross-border risks to Americans' security and data privacy.
Republicans Jim Jordan and Brian Mast chair the judiciary and foreign affairs committees that oversee foreign actions threatening American security and privacy.
Their letter warns that Bill C-22 sets a dangerous precedent that could "erode the mutual benefits of strong encryption standards."
Bill C-22 mandates that telecoms, Internet companies and other digital service providers in Canada adjust their systems to enable surveillance and monitoring for police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
Apple and Meta earlier last week voiced deep concerns about the bill, including that it could compromise cybersecurity.
Bill C-22, now being considered by a Commons committee, is supported by police chiefs and CSIS.
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