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Homeland Security Changes Laptop Search Policy

Posted by kdawson on from the beatings-will-continue-until-morale-improves dept.

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.'"

4 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. Copying files by Wowsers · · Score: 4, Informative

    There's no "legal" reason to keep files stolen by the uneducated border minions unless:

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

    And that's one reason why business travel across the Atlantic / Pacific to the US has declined.

    --
    Take Nobody's Word For It.
  2. It is not long, just quote the whole thing. by characterZer0 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

    --
    Go green: turn off your refrigerator.
  3. Re:Captain Obvious... by oahazmatt · · Score: 3, Informative

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

    I'm inclined to believe it's the other way around. While I haven't done any international travel, from what I understand as told to me by co-workers who do travel abroad, laptops (and in some cases, Blackberries) have to be decrypted and ready to inspect. Passwords do not stop these Security Agents from investigating a laptop, and we have had several employees who have missed their flights because they were not allowed to continue with encrypted devices.

    --
    Those who believe the Internet is private,
    find their privates are on the Internet.
  4. Re:5 Days? by shacky003 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Speaking as a former (thank god) district geek manager, there is a hell of a lot more copied regularly from customer pc's than just porn..
    I've fired services techs (now called "geeks") for making copies of personal data including bank/money/quicken databases, address books, etc..