Canada’s national police, the RCMP and other police forces across the country are refusing to pay new fees for tracking suspects through their cell phones. Rogers Communications wrote to various services last May to inform them that it would require new fees on Aug 1.
The fees were to pay for help executing court warrants for tracking customers’ movements and for the preparation of affidavits for use in court.
‘A legal obligation’ to help
Police say the telecommunications firm has a legal obligation to provide such court-ordered services and to cover the cost as part of its duty to society. In a note obtained by the Canadian Press wire service, RCMP officials told their superiors that a 2008 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada says companies would generally be expected to comply with court orders at their own expense unless costs become unreasonable.
The RCMP paid more than $2 million to telecom firms in 2012-13 in connection with customer information and intercept-related activities. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has recommended police services not sign “acknowledgement of fees” notices distributed by Rogers. It also notes the need for telecom help will only increase.
In Canada three big telecom firms dominate the mobile phone business.
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