Geezer Geek ping.
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Posted on 02/09/2008 9:56:39 AM PST by sionnsar
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.'"
tech ping
Geezer Geek ping.
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Encrypt your hard drive and ‘forget’ the password. Make sure you have a backup copy (also encrypted) on the internet in case they decide to keep your computer. Or, encrypt individual files and tell them it’s random noise generated by your amateur radiotelescope project.
I discovered this a while back when I was going over my passport application.
My company requires all laptops to be encrypted.
It is against company policy to reveal the password to anyone. If there is any problem, just call the legal office and they’ll send a lawyer.
Can the Customs Service, read and photocopy the contents of any paper correspondence, books, etc. brought into the country?
Customs will arrest you and have friendly judges hold you without bail until you hand over the password. There is an ongoing case in NH regarding this.
And I would venture to guess that my company, depending on government contracts to survive, might care about proprietary data but wouldn’t give a whit if my @ss went to jail trying to protect theirs.
So I’ll travel with a Mac laptop and type in “Guest” when told. OS X creates empty guest accounts with few privileges on the fly upon log-in, and deletes them upon log-out.
Otherwise in any system just create a dummy account with few privileges and some bogus documents like “Kip Hawley Sucks” (just kidding, that’ll get you seriously harassed, it’s happened). Log in with that.
Both of these center on not having the opening screen where all available accounts are shown.
Encryption, with strong password protection at the OS, and at data level. I don’t think they can force you to divulge password...recent Federal suit, as I recall. And, strong password protection is decent if used correctly. Also, compression helps, too.
The sad part is that our enemies already know this...
Yes, except for diplomatic immunity; it’s legal to search at the border w/o probable cause or any reasonable suspicion at all. And it should be legal. The only slightly gray area for me legally is when do Constitutional rights of US citizens re-entering the country attach. I think the traditional rule has been that they attach when the customs man says so. That seems OK with me assuming proper training etc.
I think the analogy between the contents of a suitcase and the contents of a computer is apt (except the gov. doesn’t confiscate your clothing). Other folks have suggested ways to protect intellectual property.
Really though, they are trying to get into our house. What’s the complaint?
Well, their complaint is the mere existence of borders.
Open borders psychosis, a progression of the “political correctness” disease, is a fundament of leftist dogma. “Imagine there’s no countries....”
Too bad the American people do not have the government on its side. But last summer’s historic showdown between Americans and the governing country club elite over the Imm. Reform Act is heartening. The next president will be, at least, an open borders sympathizer. So the responsibility for saving the nation from anarchy on the borders (i.e., saving the nation) is on the States and the people. Unfortunate, but oddly appropriate and not surprising. See 10th Amendment.
I would have the Constitution and all the Amendments in plain English for all to see before any encrypted files came up. Give the bastards something to think about. Is this ‘our government or ‘their’ government?
” Is this ‘our government or ‘their’ government?”
What do you think? I think we are all suckers if we continue to believe anything “they” say or do.
I think it depends.
For instance, photocopying a Disney book would probably get them in trouble with copyright laws and they would never be willing to match wits with the mouse house.
Same with music CDs. Big trouble with RIAA. Get their donkeys sued.
OTOH, trade secrets, competitive advantage for small companies, that kind of stuff is fair game...
Oh and BTW they do not have to tell anyone they have - including your lawyer. Patriot Act.
Must find better way to type when drunk.
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