Supreme Court rules police need warrant to read text messages

Canadian police forces will need to obtain search warrants to read cellphone text messages, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in a decision that moves to protect personal privacy.

The decision reached on Wednesday comes after telecom giant Telus opposed a bid to have customer text messages turned over to police.

[ Related: Supreme Court rules on police powers for snooping ]

The Canadian Press reports that the Ontario Superior Court gave police in Owen Sound the right to seize text messages without alerting the owner of the phone.

[ More Brew: Top court refuses to hear drunk driver conviction appeal ]

Telus appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, ruled in favour of the cell phone company, and underlined the need for police to obtain a search warrant.