When you travel to the U.S., customs agents can search your smartphone, laptop and other electronic devices at will — a longtime policy that has attracted renewed scrutiny in light of President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban.
Canadian customs agents can do the same, but unlike their U.S. counterparts, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) doesn’t make its policy easy to find. Nor does it offer much in the way of specifics.
Legal experts say that lack of transparency makes it difficult for travellers to know their rights when a Canadian border agent asks to conduct a digital search.
Source: CBC
Date: February 17th, 2017
Discussion
1) What are some of the privacy issues around being able to search a cellphone?
2) What sort of counter-measures could someone take to prevent a cellphone being searched?
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