NordVPN May Exit Canada Over Lawful Access Bill

OTTAWA - NordVPN, a virtual private network service, warned on May 15, 2026, that it may withdraw from the Canadian market if the federal government's proposed lawful access bill requires the company to undermine its privacy protections.

The company stated it is actively reviewing the legislation, which seeks to expand law enforcement access to encrypted communications and user data. NordVPN emphasized that any mandate to weaken its no-logs policy or encryption standards would prompt it to reconsider operations in Canada.

The announcement follows similar statements from other tech firms. Earlier this week, the encrypted messaging service Signal indicated it would exit Canada under the same conditions, citing risks to user privacy. Apple and Meta have also raised concerns, asserting that the bill could compromise the end-to-end encryption integral to their services.

The proposed bill has drawn opposition from civil liberties organizations and legal scholars, who argue it could enable excessive government surveillance and erode fundamental privacy rights. Critics contend the measures lack sufficient safeguards against abuse.

Federal officials defend the legislation as a necessary...