Privacy Office approves laptop searches without suspicion at U.S. borders

[Newsjock]

Source: Computerworld

The Department of Homeland Security's Privacy Office has approved the controversial searches, copying and retention of laptops, PDAs, and other digital devices without cause at U.S. borders.

... The 51-page Privacy Impact Assessment also supported the right of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to copy, download, retain or seize any content from these devices, or the devices themselves, without assigning any specific reason for doing so.

Also, while in many cases searches would be done with the knowledge of the traveler in some situations, the report says, "it is not practicable for law enforcement reasons to inform the traveler that his electronic device has been searched."

... The Association of Corporate Travel Executives and other groups have warned of potential security breaches when corporate data contained in a laptop or PDA is downloaded by a customs agent as part of a border search. Similar concerns have been raised about data involving client and lawyer privileges, intellectual property, and other sensitive information.

Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9137315/Privacy_Office_approves_laptop_searches_without_suspicion_at_U.S._borders_

[Billy Burnett]

1. Try entering the US with one of these in your carry-on.

"Step to the side and follow me sir" is what you'll hear departing and arriving with this Roland audio sampler.