At a recent landing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport , a passenger refused to provide his smartphone unlock password during security screening and was charged with obstructing border guards.
Alain Philippon, 38, arrived at the airport on Monday, traveling from the Dominican Republic, and was randomly selected by airport border services for screening. Closer screening of passengers is done either randomly or when airport security officers notice something suspicious in the traveler's behavior.
According to a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the reason why this particular passenger was selected for screening is not clear, but airport security officers are highly trained in screening, investigation and questioning techniques and methods and are constantly looking for clues that will lead them to individuals or luggage that require special attention.
The passenger who did not comply with the instructions and did not accept the inspection is now out on bail and risks paying a fine of between 1,000 CAD (800 USD / 730 EUR) and 25,000 CAD (20,000 USD / EUR 18,250), as well as a one-year prison sentence, according to section 153.1 (b) of the Customs Act.
As Philippon said, he intends to challenge these charges in court, saying that smartphone contains personal information that should not be exposed to third parties.
Airports in almost all countries require passengers to activate their devices to prove that they are working and that they are not carrying anything illegal inside.
Access to device data, and even passwords, are irrelevant since what the guards want is to see that the device will start working, so that they can understand that the correct hardware is inside it.
If the trial finally takes place, it will be the first in the history of Canadian courts with such an indictment.
