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Papers, Please. Laptops, iPods, cameras, phones, pamphlets, too.
August 08, 2008 ( Hactivismo )
After pressure from a slightly odd combination of civil liberties watchdogs and business traveler associations, the DHS has revealed the extent of their laptop/electronic device policies at the US border:
Federal agents may take a traveler's laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing ... The policies state that officers may "detain" laptops "for a reasonable period of time" to "review and analyze information." This may take place "absent individualized suspicion."
But it's not just laptops, either (bad though that may be, and in violation of at least two amendments:
The policies cover "any device capable of storing information in digital or analog form," including hard drives, flash drives, cellphones, iPods, pagers, beepers, and video and audio tapes. They also cover "all papers and other written documentation," including books, pamphlets and "written materials commonly referred to as 'pocket trash' or 'pocket litter.' "Reasonable measures must be taken to protect business information and attorney-client privileged material, the policies say, but there is no specific mention of the handling of personal data such as medical and financial records.
So, basically, don't travel to a conference outside the US or risk having all your materials confiscated at the border. But it's keeping us safe from the terrorists:
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff wrote in an opinion piece published last month in USA Today that "the most dangerous contraband is often contained in laptop computers or other electronic devices." Searches have uncovered "violent jihadist materials" as well as images of child pornography, he wrote.
Yeah, because that makes for great reading on the plane. Can you imagine a faster way to get a plane grounded if someone reads something like that over your shoulder? With the plethora of online storage spots, it's much, much safer to encrypt, upload, and then download after traveling - and with laptop theft (by the government or from the government - Laptop containing 33000 Clear users information stolen) so prevalent, a good idea for any traveler, terrorist or business.
How many years, decades, or administrations will it take to just get us back to the level of freedom and democracy (not to mention peace, economic strength, and good standing in the world) we had just eight years ago? Is it even possible?
Posted by griffjon at August 8, 2008 10:04 AM
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