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U.S. Confiscating Data at the Border
PizzaFace writes "U.S. Customs agents have long had broad authority to examine the things a person tries to bring into the country, to prevent the importation of contraband. The agents can conduct their searches without a warrant or probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. In recent years, Customs agents have begun using their authority to insist on copying data brought to the border on laptop computers, cell phones and other devices. The government claims that this intelligence-gathering by Customs is the same as looking in a suitcase. In response the EFF is filing a lawsuit attempting to force the government to reveal its policies on border searches. 'The question of whether border agents have a right to search electronic devices at all without suspicion of a crime is already under review in the federal courts. The lawsuit was inspired by some two dozen cases, 15 of which involved searches of cellphones, laptops, MP3 players and other electronics.'"
Backup a few of your CDs onto your laptop, and when Customs copies the data, tip off the RIAA. Let them fight with each other.
Obviously they're just trying to steal MP3s!
But it was confiscated.
**calls up RIAA**
Hey, you want to know the biggest mp3 copying racket inside the US?.....
Karma Whoring for Fun and Profit.
Use bigger fonts. only guards out of shouting range would see its actually porn.
Hivemind harvest in progress..
Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
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They're not confiscating your data, they're just trying to help by creating an off-site backup for you. So if your harddrive goes kaboom you can go to the customs office, ask them nicely and they will hand over a copy of the data you had with you at your arrival.
Aren't they a nice bunch?
Flash drive mule.
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
"Son, every election is between a turd and a douchebag."
Tie two birds together: although they have four wings, they cannot fly. (The blind man)
Gestapo did not confiscate anyone's laptops or MP3 players.
People like you should experience some European countries firsthand.
Hivemind harvest in progress..
Thanks
that's because we're still working on "as good as Canada".
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Oh yah? Well Iran and Afghanistan are better than living on the moon. There isn't any air on the moon. So if you like breathing air you'd better shutup and stop complaining!
It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
Aren't you aware of the obesity problem in this country?
That's a terrible idea.
Unless it's Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup, then ok.
Intron: the portion of DNA which expresses nothing useful.
in which case you're a sith as you're dealing in absolutes. ;)
upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
You got THAT right.
i am a soviet space shuttle
"Gestapo did not confiscate anyone's laptops or MP3 players."
If they are coping from MP3 players, just send the RIAA after them. But of course the RIAA wouldn't do a thing about it even if the they did copy your music. They can only fight people who don't have the financial resources to fight back.
Load the thing with MyDoom et. al., and every bit of spyware/adware you can possibly put on a completely unprotected Windows PC.
When they ask you for the PC, just hand it over and say "Copy away, boys!"