Psiphon, a software company that assists internet users in circumventing online censorship, has announced plans to leave Canada if the federal government's lawful-access bill, known as Bill C-22, is enacted in its current form. According to The Globe and Mail, the bill would mandate electronic service providers to implement covert modifications to their systems to enable surveillance and monitoring by police services and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
Founded in 2006 as a project of the Citizen Lab, Psiphon has grown into a private company with 20 million monthly users globally, particularly in countries like Iran, Myanmar, Russia, and China, where online censorship is prevalent. The company has indicated that it would be compelled to relocate its operations outside Canada if the bill is passed, citing concerns over the potential compromise of essential safety features designed to protect user privacy.
Ron Deibert, director and founder of the Citizen Lab, stated that Bill C-22 “will make it impossible for a large number of invaluable privacy-preserving tools and applications from operating in Canada.” The bill has been criticized for its broad surveillance obligations and potential risks to constitutional and human rights, as well as its implications for encryption and cybersecurity in Canada. Recommendations have been made to withdraw certain elements of the bill and to propose amendments to reduce potential harms.