The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that online police investigations targeting adults looking to have sex with children do not constitute police entrapment.
It involved undercover police officers posing as teenaged escorts on a website they suspected of being a hub for the sexual exploitation of children.
Undercover officers posted ads offering the opportunity to have sex with an 18-year-old girl.
Those who agreed to continue with the transaction were directed to a hotel room.
This investigation was the first in Ontario to target sex offenders by setting up fake ads meant to lure offenders.
"Investigations that have no pre-identified target present the greatest risk of becoming roaming and unfocused inquisitions that compromise the privacy of online users," the CCLA said.
In the court's ruling, Justice Karakatsanis said that police must innovate if they are to match the "ingenuity" of criminals. »
