Another major VPN provider is pushing back hard against Ottawa’s controversial surveillance bill.
Proton VPN came out swinging Tuesday against Bill C-22, warning that the legislation “empowers the government to order VPN providers in Canada to retain metadata for up to a year.” The company noted that the EU’s highest court has already struck down this kind of mass data retention law twice, and made its position pretty clear: “We’re going to reiterate this one more time: there is no universe in which Proton VPN compromises its no-logs policy.”
Since Proton operates under Swiss and European jurisdiction, complying with the bill would actually break local laws. Proton VPN GM David Peterson put it bluntly: “Complying with foreign surveillance orders without Swiss legal process is a criminal offence. Not happening.” He added the company is ready to fight, saying “We’ll defend our Canadian users and never compromise them. We will fight C-22’s application by every means available.”
Toronto-based Windscribe VPN, which was already on record against the bill, had a field day after Public Safety Canada posted on X encouraging Canadians to use VPNs to secure public WiFi. “Oh this is just rich… Bill C-22 is driving VPN businesses like ours out of Canada because of the required user logging. And in the same breath you tell people to secure their data with VPNs,” Windscribe wrote. “I hope you bought your circus tickets folks, because the clown show is starting.”
NordVPN also weighed in Friday. The company says it is still reviewing the draft and wants to be part of the consultation, but it was clear that its no-logs policy is not up for debate. “Should Bill C-22 pass in its current form and if we are subjected to mandatory obligations, there isn’t a scenario in which we would compromise our no-logs architecture or encryption protections.” If pushed, NordVPN says it will consider “all viable options, including limiting or, if necessary, removing our presence from Canadian jurisdiction.”
Apple and Meta have also already told Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government they want no part of it. Apple warned the bill would let Ottawa insert a backdoor to break encryption. Meta said it could force providers to install government spyware and warned the bill would chill tech investment and innovation in Canada.
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