by Ted Legg
Password Protecting Your Cellphone:
Our mobile phones are filled to the brim with names, numbers, photos, text messages and a wide range of other very personal data – all possibly very sensitive information if viewed by the wrong people or if accessed by others.
Recently, a situation occurred during which the police stopped a suspected person and upon seizing his cellphone proceeded to look at the information therein – thus gathering information to justify the arrest. The suspect objected and took the matter to court indicating a violation of privacy. The court ruled that since the phone was on and since the information was not password protected, the information therein was open to the police to review.
The Court Case in question was the Ontario Court of Appeals decision in the case of Regina versus Fearon 2013 ONCA 106. It can be found by accessing the Canadian Privacy Law Blog.
This case is important from a privacy point of view and should be taken seriously by all who want to protect their cell phone information and data. Password Protect your phone now.
