Signal says it may exit the Canadian market if Bill C-22 takes effect.

According to Cointelegraph, privacy-focused messaging app Signal stated it may exit the Canadian market if required to comply with Canada’s proposed lawful access bill, Bill C-22. Udbhav Tiwari, Signal’s Vice President of Strategy and Global Affairs, said the bill could compel service providers to build technical surveillance capabilities and retain certain user metadata for up to one year—potentially undermining end-to-end encryption and increasing the risk of cyberattacks. The report notes that Bill C-22 has not yet entered into force and still requires parliamentary review and royal assent. In addition to Signal, VPN provider Windscribe has also indicated it may follow suit and withdraw from Canada if the bill is passed.