May 08
The lawyers at Lockyer Zaduk Zeeh have a wealth of experience dealing with Charter issues. This includes unlawful arrests; searches of homes, vehicles, and wiretap investigations; and right to counsel issues. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offence, please give us a call at 416-613-0416 to schedule a consultation.
How Does the Police Use Social Media?
Police departments use social media to investigate crime in a variety of ways, including:
- Monitoring social media platforms: Police departments may monitor social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to gather information about potential criminal activity. They can search for keywords and hashtags related to a specific crime or criminal activity and track the location and activities of individuals involved.
- Gathering evidence: social media can be a valuable source of evidence in criminal investigations. Police departments may use social media to gather photos, videos, and other digital content that can help identify suspects and build a case.
- Identifying suspects: social media can be used to identify suspects in criminal investigations. Police departments can use social media to gather information about a suspect’s location, activities, and connections to others, which can help narrow down the list of potential suspects.
- Communicating with witnesses: Police departments may use social media to communicate with witnesses who may have information about a crime. Witnesses may be more likely to come forward on social media if they feel more comfortable sharing information online rather than in person.
- Alerting the public: Police departments may use social media to alert the public about potential dangers, such as a missing person or an active shooter. They can use social media to share photos, descriptions, and other information that can help the public stay safe and aid in the investigation.
Can The Police Access my Private Social Media?
The police may access your social media with a warrant, subpoena, or court order. These legal documents must be issued by a judge or other authorized official and outline the specific information that law enforcement is seeking.
More recently, the police will use an police created account to send you a friend request in hopes that you accept it. Once accepted, the police will view your social media, and may capture all photographs and/or postings on your social media. Depending on the specific circumstances of your social media account, you may have a reasonable expectation of privacy of your profile and this could constitute a breach of your Charter rights.
