Is opening mail a crime

In most jurisdictions, opening someone else's mail without their permission is illegal and can be considered a crime. This is known as "mail tampering" or "mail theft."

In the United States, for example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has a specific law that prohibits the unauthorized opening of mail. The law states that anyone who "opens, detains, or secretes any letter, postal card, or package" without the permission of the addressee can be fined or imprisoned.

Similarly, in Canada, the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the unauthorized opening of mail, and can result in fines or imprisonment.

In the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail has a specific law that prohibits the unauthorized opening of mail, and can result in fines or imprisonment.

It's important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule, such as:

• Law enforcement officials who have a warrant to search and seize mail as part of an investigation.
• Postal workers who are authorized to open mail as part of their job duties.
• Individuals who have been given permission by the addressee to open their mail.

It's also important to note that even if you have permission to open someone's mail, you should still be careful and respectful of their privacy. You should only open the mail in their presence, and you should not share the contents of the mail with anyone else without their permission.

In summary, opening someone else's mail without their permission is generally illegal and can be considered a crime. It's important to respect people's privacy and only open mail that is intended for you or that you have been given permission to open.