(The following is in reference to Canadian practices only, since I have no clue how it works in other countries)
No, they can't strip search you on a whim, and no, they can't hold you without telling you why.
To hold you beyond a rational time for questioning, you must be read your rights. To be stripped, you must be read your rights and there must be probably cause.
How do I know? I used to be a border guard. The whole 'you have no rights at the border' thing is a total myth.
Still, would you have rather had this happen, or have some whacko posing as a "cyborg" board a 747 and blow it to bits in the middle of the Atlantic?
Such a bad argument to make....either it's OK to violate someones privacy or planes blow up. That's the sort of fear tactic that's supposed to make everyone feel good about an increasing police state and reduction in personal liberties.
All the peons at security had to do was verify Mann's status as a U of T prof, and that he's had these implants for many years. Does this mean he wouldn't blow up a plane? No. But does it make it very likely that he wouldn't? You bet. To escalate security procedures they're supposed to need probable cause. Did that exist here? I don't think so.
Slashdot Mirror
(The following is in reference to Canadian practices only, since I have no clue how it works in other countries)
No, they can't strip search you on a whim, and no, they can't hold you without telling you why.
To hold you beyond a rational time for questioning, you must be read your rights. To be stripped, you must be read your rights and there must be probably cause.
How do I know? I used to be a border guard. The whole 'you have no rights at the border' thing is a total myth.
Still, would you have rather had this happen, or have some whacko posing as a "cyborg" board a 747 and blow it to bits in the middle of the Atlantic? Such a bad argument to make....either it's OK to violate someones privacy or planes blow up. That's the sort of fear tactic that's supposed to make everyone feel good about an increasing police state and reduction in personal liberties. All the peons at security had to do was verify Mann's status as a U of T prof, and that he's had these implants for many years. Does this mean he wouldn't blow up a plane? No. But does it make it very likely that he wouldn't? You bet. To escalate security procedures they're supposed to need probable cause. Did that exist here? I don't think so.