Can police charge people based on social media videos? Mississauga and Brampton cops say yes

Published November 22, 2023 at 11:46 am

Peel Regional Police say videos posted by people to social media showing themselves or others participating in illegal street races or other criminal activity — or breaking everyday traffic laws — can be used to lay charges against them or issue tickets.

Making use of social media themselves to answer one of the most common questions they receive from the public online, or in person, Peel police say not only can they use such video footage as evidence to lay charges, but they’ve done so recently.

In a video posted to YouTube today (see below), Const. Justin Robinson said investigators laid charges shortly after viewing a social media video showing a man on a motorcycle racing on the street with a Ferrari.

“He got a rude awakening when he got charged,” said Robinson, adding the man was charged with stunt driving and had his licence suspended and vehicle impounded.

“So, in short, yes we can issue tickets and charges based on videos that we viewed online or that have been sent to us.

“A lot of people actually forget that police have social media, too.”