Slashdot Mirror
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.'"
Except that in the real world, how many lowly employees are willing to be made to disappear by the US government without trial because they won't hand over their company laptop's secrets? Between keeping the secrets and never seeing your family again, or handing over the secrets and hopefully being let go, which would you choose? People don't seem to understand exactly how dangerous it is "not to cooperate" with government officials. How the authorities get away with the "well, you shouldn't have anything to hide" argument is beyond me.
Christ, in a few years you'll have to have a document personally signed and stamped by the president just to be able to enter the country.