Is opening other people's mail illegal

In most countries, opening someone else's mail without their permission is illegal and considered a violation of their privacy. Here are some specific laws and regulations:

  1. United States: In the US, opening someone else's mail without their permission is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1702, which states that "Whoever, being the owner or custodian of any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, or having in his possession any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, which has been delivered to him by mistake for another, or who, having received any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail, which has been delivered to him by mistake for another, fails to deliver it to the addressee, or to the postmaster of the office of mailing, or to the postmaster of the office of destination, or to the postmaster of the office of the addressee, within three days after the discovery of the mistake, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."
  2. Canada: In Canada, opening someone else's mail without their permission is a violation of the Criminal Code, specifically section 342, which states that "Every one who, without the consent of the owner, opens or causes to be opened any letter, package, or other document that is addressed to another person, or that is in the possession of another person, is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years."
  3. United Kingdom: In the UK, opening someone else's mail without their permission is a criminal offense under the Postal Services Act 2000, which states that "A person commits an offence if, without the consent of the sender or the addressee, he opens or causes to be opened any postal packet or package which is addressed to another person."
  4. Australia: In Australia, opening someone else's mail without their permission is a criminal offense under the Crimes Act 1914, which states that "A person who, without the consent of the sender or the addressee, opens or causes to be opened any postal packet or package which is addressed to another person is guilty of an indictable offence."

In general, it is illegal to open someone else's mail without their permission, and doing so can result in criminal charges and fines. It's always best to respect people's privacy and only open mail that is addressed to you.