So, someone please educate me here. Doesn’t law enforcement already have access to digital information during investigations? I think companies already retain metadata, even if they say they don’t. And, wouldn’t it be like any investigation where you would need a court order to get that information?
Bill C-22, formally the Lawful Access Act, 2026, is a proposed Canadian federal law about giving police and intelligence agencies access to digital information during investigations. It would update rules for obtaining subscriber information and other data, and require some service providers to support lawful access requests.
Parliament of Canada
The bill is controversial because critics say its provisions could expand surveillance, require companies to retain certain metadata, and pressure providers to make their systems accessible to authorities—potentially weakening encryption. The government presents it as a way to help law enforcement investigate serious crimes.
So, someone please educate me here. Doesn’t law enforcement already have access to digital information during investigations? I think companies already retain metadata, even if they say they don’t. And, wouldn’t it be like any investigation where you would need a court order to get that information?
Bill C-22, formally the Lawful Access Act, 2026, is a proposed Canadian federal law about giving police and intelligence agencies access to digital information during investigations. It would update rules for obtaining subscriber information and other data, and require some service providers to support lawful access requests. Parliament of Canada
The bill is controversial because critics say its provisions could expand surveillance, require companies to retain certain metadata, and pressure providers to make their systems accessible to authorities—potentially weakening encryption. The government presents it as a way to help law enforcement investigate serious crimes.