ARTICLE · 27 JANUARY 2017

U.S. Border Agents Have Right To Search Cell Phones

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Canadians crossing into the U.S. can be asked to unlock and handover their mobile phones for inspection by border security agents.

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Colin Singer

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Canadians crossing into the U.S. can be asked to unlock and handover their mobile phones for inspection by border security agents.

A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale confirmed the power in the wake of several people being denied entry to the U.S. for Donald Trump's inauguration and subsequent protests.

A phone simply counts among the goods a traveller is taking across the border, making it open to inspection.

Refusing to unlock a phone is regarded in the same way as refusing to unlock a suitcase when asked by a border security agent.

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