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Homeland Security Changes Laptop Search Policy

IronicToo writes "The US Government has updated its policy on the search and seizure of laptops at border crossing. 'The long-criticized practice of searching travelers' electronic devices will continue, but a supervisor now would need to approve holding a device for more than five days. Any copies of information taken from travelers' machines would be destroyed within days if there were no legal reason to hold the information.'"

7 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Well that sounds reasonable by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's our right as citizens to be secure. If your papers (computer) is dangerous, it is reasonable to seize it.

    From the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

    The right of the people to be secure...shall not be violated, and...Warrants shall issue...upon...particularly...the persons or things to be seized.

  2. Captain Obvious... by swanzilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Between Oct. 1, 2008, and Aug. 11 of this year, Customs and Border Protection officers processed more than 221 million travelers at U.S. borders and searched about 1,000 laptops, of which 46 were "in-depth" searches, the Homeland Security Department said."

    I wonder if the other 954 laptops required passwords for login...

  3. Re:5 Days? by zippthorne · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, obviously, you should have planned ahead and arrived at the airport one hundred twenty-three hours before your flight, to give yourself ample time to find parking and clear security. It's the responsible thing to do.

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  4. Re:I Believe 'em by rawls · · Score: 5, Funny

    You still need to be careful. Do what I do and mail each of your laptops to a different state governor before you leave on your trip.

  5. Re:Welcome to the border by Kell+Bengal · · Score: 5, Funny

    DHS is an equal opportunity employer, you insensitive clod!

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  6. Re:Well that sounds reasonable by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, as they say,

    brevity is the of

  7. Re:Copying files by kpainter · · Score: 5, Funny

    1. You are not an American.
    3. You have "trade secrets" that can give American companies a competitive advantage.

    2. Classified