Customs Agents Given Authority to Seize Laptops

[Roadtoad]

This infuriates the hell out of me...

Travelers beware: U.S. agents now have the authority to seize and retain laptops indefinitely, according to a new policy detailed in documents issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As part of border search policy, government agents are now authorized to seize electronic devices and inspect documents in them, the document states. The electronic devices might include laptops, cell phones, portable music players or storage devices such as portable hard drives.


Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection will also be allowed to translate and share documents with other government agencies.

There's no mention in the story of how they determine how your laptop is a threat, or how you're supposed to get the damned thing back once they confiscate it and determine that your nude pics of Jennifer Love Hewitt are not a threat to National Security. Nor is there any mention of WHY laptops are so damned dangerous. (Yes, I know, this should be obvious.)

[196]

This has been policy for many years. In 2005 and 2006 I was attending graduate school in New York but living in Ontario. I crossed the border every day and knowing the policy, left my laptop at home. I just brought a memory stick with my school files. They don't need "probable cause" for a search on either side of the border. I don't have anything illegal on my laptop, my concern is privacy.

Another little known policy is that the US border agents can (and do) search people as they cross back into Canada. They were set up for a couple of hours every day on the Rainbow bridge when I used to cross. I was questioned most days and had to show my papers. I was pulled out and searched once. (Only to drive a further 100 m and be questioned by Canadian border agents).

[Roadtoad]

$64 question: Is this RIGHT?

To my mind, no.

[TobiasTheViking]

The new thing is that

A) They can hold it for as long as they want, without giving a reason.. that means forever if they so please.
B) It also applies to anything else that contains information, and not just electronic devices.. any piece of paper can be taken, forever, if they so please.

I hope i get my dawkins books through next time i go to the states...

[Rasmus]

Remind me again why I would transport illegal or incriminating data on my laptop, rather than encrypt it and place it online somewhere?

[RadioactiveMan]

I support HR 6588 (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6588ih.txt.pdf).

Do you?

[luchog]

I crossed the border every day and knowing the policy, left my laptop at home. I just brought a memory stick with my school files.
They can confiscate and rifle through those as well; should they so choose.
Remind me again why I would transport illegal or incriminating data on my laptop, rather than encrypt it and place it online somewhere?
Seriously. Of course, if it's encrypted on your laptop, they can legally demand that you provide the decryption password or key.

The big problem recently has been people travelling for business, and having laptops with sensitive and proprietary business data confiscated by authorities.

[senorpogo]

The big problem recently has been people travelling for business, and having laptops with sensitive and proprietary business data confiscated by authorities.

This was my first thought. I'm sure businesses feel very safe knowing that those sensitive monthlies are going through god knows how many hands belonging to god knows who for god knows how long.