Posted on 02/22/2017 9:07:21 AM PST by bryan999
A few months ago I wrote about how you can encrypt your entire life in less than an hour. Well, all the security in the world can’t save you if someone has physical possession of your phone or laptop, and can intimidate you into giving up your password.
And a few weeks ago, that’s precisely what happened to a US citizen returning home from abroad.
On January 30th, Sidd Bikkannavar, a US-born scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory flew back to Houston, Texas from Santiago, Chile.
On his way through the airport, Customs and Border Patrol agents pulled him aside. They searched him, then detained him in a room with a bunch of other people sleeping in cots. They eventually returned and said they’d release him if he told them the password to unlock his phone.
Bikkannavar explained that the phone belonged to NASA and had sensitive information on it, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. He eventually yielded and unlocked his phone. The agents left with his phone. Half an hour later, they returned, handed him his phone, and released him.
(Excerpt) Read more at medium.freecodecamp.com ...
Bookmark 1984
Immigrants, illegals, etc are being told to take a burner phone if flying and leave the real one at home.
There is nothing of value on my phone.
I’ve never had this happen with my phone and I travel pretty regularly. Besides I don’t even have a lock on my phone anybody could look at it, there’s nothing secret on there. Besides why did this NASA guy have sensitive information on his phone in the first place?
This is story is BS. What if he they suspected him of drug smuggling or being in contact with subversives. He unlocks the phone, they look at who he’s called in Chili. Apparently no one, and off he goes free.
Say NO. Tell the bastards to get a warrant. If its important enough, Customs/ICE should able to convince a judge quickly they need a warrant to conduct a search of your private property. They are very clear on the law and procedure and simply want to bully, delay and cajole you into giving permission.
This advise was given to me not by some libertarian cranks, but by expensive DC lawyers who were former Federal Prosecutors and DOJ attorneys. They said - when you give permission, you allow law enforcement to go on a fishing expedition of anything and everything. DON'T DO IT.
Not for nothing, but the details of what happened here are sketchy at best. The blog article above discusses the legality and what-ifs, but I’m not so sure this guy was randomly singled out. Other news articles on what happened give scant details.
So exactly what is the deal with the 4th & 5th Amendment when at the border and/or going thru customs? Doesn’t CBP reserve the right to go thru anything they want, including phones, and no matter what the circumstance or lack of warrant?
I forgot to turn off the data button on my iPhone. Cost me $150.
I know nothing about NASA policy, but I’m wondering why a NASA phone would have sensitive information on it in the first place.
Yes, they do not need a warrant.
Modern technology equivalent of Penthouse Forum.
Interesting and fascinating read, and technically possible, but probably a complete fabrication.
This article says U.S. Citizens don’t have 4th or 5th Amendment rights at the border. Why then, do illegal alien non-citizens have FULL constitutional rights when they are breaking through our borders? Will the lying, liberal, lunatic left make up their minds?
All the nations I travel to can seize anything and everything when you cross their border. It’s the “cost of doing business.” If you refuse they can just send you back.
Or
Never use FB or Twitter
Don’t access bank or investment accounts from your phone
I don’t even log into FR from my phone...just read it.
No compromising photo’s
Delete e-mails often AND empty trash.
My Texts are boring
You’re gonna give me that password, boy! You know, looking the way you do, you’re asking for trouble around here, friend. Get a haircut and maybe you wouldn’t be hassled so much.
Anybody who sets foot on U.S. Port property is subject to search and detention. There are signs at the port stating so. You can be searched upon arrival and departure into or out of the USA. Always assume that you will be searched.
CBP Officers have the authority to search electronic devices, but there are criteria for the search and it has to be thoroughly documented as to why it was done. They can’t just search willy-nilly.
I’d like to know the REST of the story.
The sensible thing to do though is not carry things in your wallet smartphone that you don't need to have in it. But it's so convenient to put everything in the phone...
So this likely foreign-born guy, with a presumably sensitive, high paying job, turns over his work phone with passcode . .
Rather than requesting assistance from the US Embassy
Anyone else see something wrong with his conduct?
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