• Canada's controversial surveillance law

    From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to All on Saturday, May 23, 2026 09:29:02
    'No-logs architecture and encryption are non-negotiable' ExpressVPN joins
    the backlash against Canada's controversial Bill C-22

    Date:
    Fri, 22 May 2026 15:47:04 +0000

    ExpressVPN has joined other VPN providers in criticizing Canada's proposed surveillance law, warning that it could undermine the digital security millions of users rely on -- The privacy industry's backlash against
    Canada's controversial Bill C-22 continues to grow. Virtual private network giant ExpressVPN has formally criticized the proposed legislation, stating that its no-logs architecture and encryption remain strictly
    "non-negotiable."

    The controversy is a major concern for anyone searching for the best VPN to protect their online identity. Bill C-22, officially known as the Lawful Access Act , would require online services to build technical capabilities facilitating government access to encrypted communications, while also mandating metadata retention for up to a year. In a statement shared with TechRadar, ExpressVPN said to be "carefully reviewing" Canada's Bill C-22, particularly the provisions on access to user data and the requirement to build technical capabilities supporting government access to encrypted user communications.

    For millions who rely on VPN services, the proposal threatens the core mechanisms of online privacy. Under a strict no-logs policy , a VPN provider like ExpressVPN technically promises to never track or store what its users
    do online. This means that if a government demands user logs, a secure provider simply has nothing to hand over a fundamental privacy guarantee
    that Bill C-22 threatens to disrupt.

    ExpressVPN's stance follows similar warnings shared by other VPN providers, including NordVPN and Proton VPN . Windscribe and Signal also threatened to leave the market if Bill C-22 were to pass. The danger of mandated backdoors Why are VPN companies and secure messaging apps uniting against Ottawa? The core of the issue lies in the bill's technical requirements. ExpressVPN
    warned that forcing companies to build tools to access secure user data creates a massive security vulnerability that malicious parties could easily abuse.

    "Our position on the underlying principles is clear: ExpressVPNs no-logs architecture and encryption are non-negotiable," the ExpressVPN spokesperson told TechRadar.

    That's because, ExpressVPN explains, both encryption and a no-log
    architecture protect users from a wide range of threats, including bad actors who would exploit any technical capabilities built for one purpose to use
    them for another. "Legislation that mandates data
    retention or technical access, however well-intentioned, undermines the security that millions of users rely on," the ExpressVPN spokesperson added.

    By mandating that providers build a way to circumvent encryption , the bill effectively demands digital backdoors. What to read next The UK warned 'not
    to undermine the open web' as Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill becomes law 'It doesnt have to be all or nothing' ExpressVPN launches privacy-first tool to combat CSAM We found a hidden file in ExpressVPN that hints at a
    major privacy upgrade

    Security experts argue that there is no such thing as a backdoor that only "good guys" can use. Once an entry point is created, it becomes a high-priority target for cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers. A
    growing privacy exodus ExpressVPN is not alone in its stance. The provider joins an increasingly vocal resistance that includes some of the industry's biggest names.

    Earlier this week, Swiss-based Proton VPN declared that "there is no universe in which Proton VPN compromises its no-logs policy," vowing to fight the legislation by any means.

    Meanwhile, Toronto-headquartered Windscribe VPN went as far as threatening to relocate its operations out of Canada entirely. Encrypted messaging giant Signal similarly warned that it would rather exit the Canadian market than compromise user trust.

    The friction has even raised cross-border concerns. Lawmakers in the United States have cautioned that the bill could compromise the data privacy of American citizens.

    "We are monitoring the legislation closely as it unfolds and engaging with
    the broader conversation about how Canada balances law enforcement needs with the security and privacy of its citizens," the ExpressVPN spokesperson concluded. "We will be transparent with our users as the situation develops."

    TechRadar has contacted ExpressVPN for further comment.

    Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/no-logs-architecture-and-en cryption-are-non-negotiable-expressvpn-joins-the-backlash-against-canadas-cont roversial-bill-c-22

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    --- MultiMail/DOS
    * Origin: Capitol City Hub (1:2320/105)