QMI Agency files

The Supreme Court of Canada on Monday will hear arguments about whether or not a relatively easy to obtain general warrant is enough for police to seize the content of your text messages from your service provider.

The case arose after an Ontario judge granted such a general warrant that would require Telus to give police text messages sent and received between two of its customers over a two-week period.

Telus argues that if police want to acquire the content of text messages in near real time, they should get an authorization to intercept, as they do when they want to intercept phone conversations.

The Crown argues that since text messages do not occur contemporaneously with their transmission like phone conversations, a general warrant should be enough.

In court documents, the company explains that it is seeking clarification of the law that would strike a proper balance between respecting personal privacy and assisting law enforcement in an efficient way.