Can immigration officers search personal email, facebook etc

[jigsawe]

Hello

Last time i visited Canada, the immigration officer asked for my password for my email and facebook. I gave them the information, but I was wondering if they had the rights to do so, and if I have the right to decline.

Thanks

 

[scylla]

Hello

Last time i visited Canada, the immigration officer asked for my password for my email and facebook. I gave them the information, but I was wondering if they had the rights to do so, and if I have the right to decline.

Thanks

Yes - they have the right to do so to assess your true intentions for entering Canada as a visitor (i.e. ensure you're not planning on working illegally or coming to stay long term). Yes - you have the right to decline. Declining significantly increases the chances they will determine you are coming to Canada as more than just a visitor and significantly increases the chances you will find yourself on the first flight back home.

 

[devilsofnj]

How often does this happen?

 

[Jalex23]

How often does this happen?

Every time the officer feels that it is needed for proper assessment.

 

[Bs65]

Every time the officer feels that it is needed for proper assessment.

although i have no personal experience of this scenario i should imagine getting to the point of email or social media passwords anything that has gone before in the inspection has not satisfied CBSA.

So progressively they may start with additional interogation, luggage search, phone messages and if still not satisfied passwords but would guess the latter would be a last resort if the passengers intentions still under suspicion.

Only the OP has any idea why they reached that level of inspection which i doubt based on the volume of inspections happens that often but only CBSA will have that data thus keeping people on their guard.

Standard advice with CBSA answer questions honestly and clearly but do not volunteer additional information that has not been asked for as that can just generate unecessary questions.

Unfortunately these days some people carry their lives around on their smart phones and forget what they have on them so if CBSA so wish thats the first place they may go.

 

[scylla]

Only the OP has any idea why they reached that level of inspection which i doubt based on the volume of inspections happens that often but only CBSA will have that data thus keeping people on their guard.

If you look through the OP's history you'll see that he was issued an exclusion order from Canada a few years ago because CBSA officers found proof he had plans to work illegally in Canada.

So something about him obviously made them suspect he wasn't just a tourist and caused them to examine him more closely.