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U.S. Confiscating Data at the Border

Posted by Zonk on from the keep-your-mitts-off-my-bits dept.

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.'"

2 of 630 comments (clear)

  1. It's an Election Year by starX · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    What a great time for us to make sure those running for office know that we're not voting for anyone who won't make reversing all this fascist crap a top priority!

  2. They don't keep the electronics? by fedders · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    So, you illegally try to enter the country and we give you back all your stuff? Maybe it would be a dis-incentive if the computers and iPods were kept rather than just copied. And I'm only half-kidding.