The Digital Security Digest, by Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), is a weekly newsletter with security tips that keep you, your sources, and your devices safe. If someone shared this newsletter with you, please subscribe here.

Security-minded tech firms could flee Canada over new bill

Signal, the secure messaging app, and major virtual private network providers are warning that they would discontinue operations in Canada if forced to comply with a controversial surveillance bill that would weaken users’ security and privacy protections. According to Kate Robertson, a senior research associate at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, Bill C-22 could lead to new requirements for messaging app makers to collect metadata about their users. Such metadata may include information about which users are in conversation, as well as their locations.

Udbhav Tiwari, Signal’s vice president of strategy and global affairs, told The Globe and Mail that the encrypted messaging app “would rather pull out of the country than be compelled to compromise on the privacy promises we have made to our users.” Read more.

What you can do

  • Canadians: Contact your lawmakers. Journalists depend on Signal for safer communications with sources, VPNs for sensitive research, and a variety of other security-focused technologies to accomplish their work. Send a letter to your members of Parliament to urge them to protect journalists and our collective security by rejecting Bill C-22. To get started, check out this handy tool from our friends at the Internet Society.
  • Use secure channels. If you’re just getting started, walk through our guide to Signal for beginners, and if you already use it, check out our guide to locking down Signal. If you want to go even further with setting up secure communications, check out our collection of guides.

Our team is always ready to assist journalists with digital security concerns. Reach out here, and stay safe and secure out there.

Best,
Martin

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Martin Shelton
Deputy Director of Digital Security
Freedom of the Press Foundation