Officers searched 55,318 computers, cellphones and other devices in 2025, up 17.6 per cent from the 47,047 devices searched in 2024 and up 32.4 per cent from the 41,767 devices searched in 2023, according to statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Ambassador Pete Hoekstra pushed back, saying searches of electronic devices were isolated events. In 2024, the U.S. CBP searched the devices of 0.011 per cent of 420.5 million travellers, while the CBSA only searched the devices of 0.0012 per cent of 93.7 million travellers. Meanwhile, a CBP directive, revised in January, governs searches of electronic devices. Border officers can conduct searches of personal electronic devices when travellers enter the United States.

Source: CBC News March 08, 2026 14:02 UTC