Airport Electronics Searches Truly Troubling
Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:50AM EST
See Comments (18)
A series of events at international airport security checkpoints -- and not just the all-gadgets-out-of-bags issue that Ben reported last week -- are troubling privacy and civil liberties advocates.
In the last few months, travelers have found their cell phones and laptops seized by officials, at least temporarily. In at least one case, an engineer was asked to turn on the PC, enter his password, and allow agents to copy a record of all the web sites he had visited on the machine. The laptop was then taken away from him altogether.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Asian Law Caucus filed a lawsuit last week to demand that the government disclose border search policies regarding electronic devices. At least two dozen incidents have now been logged, 15 of which involved officers searching records of cell phone calls, files on laptops, and even the contents of MP3 players. Almost all involve "travelers of Muslim, Middle Eastern or South Asian background, many of whom... are concerned they were singled out because of racial or religious profiling."
Some travelers never receive their equipment back at all. Just imagine having to change all your passwords while your laptop is impounded by U.S. Customs. You may take every step possible to protect your data from hackers and viruses, but that'll do you no good if your computer gets taken away from you wholesale.
The issues extend beyond personal privacy and security concerns, too. In several cases, travelers have been visiting the U.S. with company-issued laptops carrying trade secrets and other proprietary information. In response, one company is now sending travelers to the U.S. with "blank laptops" that contain no data on them. All files have to be accessed via the Internet instead.
Just imagine the uproar should one of those seized laptops contain millions of customer records, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers.
Alas, I'm not expecting much resolution on this issue. Despite repeated complaints and lawsuits against heavy-handed security tactics, TSA and Customs officials have never faced much more than a slap on the wrist, if that.
Given the current paranoia over border security, this is a trend that, I'm betting, actually gets worse before it gets better. Something to keep in mind if you're heading overseas.
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7 Posted by analogdb on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse
I travel extensively, but was also present in New York City as the fires burned...If the general public had any idea of just how much anti-American material was being brought into our country every day, and really understood the underlying intentions of so many "outsiders", then the REAL American citizens would WELCOME the security checks, and so called "profiling". With all the fervor about what the Govt' did, or did not know prior to 9-11, the more information they can gather, the better!. Just take a look at how many internal, and external spies have been aprehended with American military secrets, nuclear construction plans, even detailed floor plans of the Whitehouse and other gov't and military buildings.....I say "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK"...a person with truly nothing to hide, has nothing to be worried about, so let the search anyone, anytime!
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8 Posted by wsterpstra@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't think it right that the airport administration ,is allowed to copy anything of anyone computers. Also let alone taking things that don't belong to them . A couple of times a few things of our came up missing. That just not right. If we complain than we have the strip search every time we go through the line . each and every time we are search . I think they just look for our name , no matter were we go .
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9 Posted by bbaa1376 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
Its any americans right to beleave anything they want too. Be it be religious or political, it is not the governments right to know these details, I'm all for america but I do not agree with "the Bush administrations" polices they've set and try to sneak past us the american public including these obviously illegal searches and seizures of personal electronics.
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10 Posted by dr_dredd01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse
philbautista, what the heck are you smoking? Customs and Immigration are controlling what gets into the country for safety and security? For Chrissakes, they let in a guy with a virulent form of TB last year, and that was AFTER his name showed up on a "no-entry" list! They should concentrate less on thug tactics like searching computers and more on common sense policies like following their own instructions. analogdb: I was also in NYC, but I happen to value my privacy. If you don't have anything to hide, then surely you wouldn't mind a full body cavity search every day. Just to be certain, you know.
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11 Posted by horndawg93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse
RAYVR, this has nothing to do of being under the better administration "REPUBLICANS", it's about the safety of the flight and the country of the "We the people" called United States of America. If Muslims or Islamic looking passengers received most of the attention for inspection, so be it. Who do yout think caused the 911, the Hispanics?..I think not. So if you don't like this country, go somewhere else and don't blame this administration. Becasue of the Republican administration, we did not have another 911 in my beloved country..United States of America. I bet you, you go visit the Arab countries and if they don't confiscate at the airport once they open your luggage, your christian bible or anything that resembles christianity, you're one lucky person.
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12 Posted by cindybmomof3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse
I think they should search all of those saudis and the wacky packiestanies that are trying to get into our country infact we should have an airline just for those American hating ----- s!!!!!
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13 Posted by carmelpi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse
Oh an now 'security' is involved in this corrput sleaze where they STEAL (not 'confiscate') your private property. You should be allowed to shoot them if they try to touch your property, ever. THIEVES & FILTH. A lot of "security people" gave their mistresses & kids some nice new electronics this year! What, you think your stolen laptop is in "evidence" somewhere. SORRY WRONG, it's in some pig's duplex being used by him to look at porn.
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14 Posted by supergrannie34 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:48PM EDT Report Abuse
If someone really wants into the U.S just land in Mexico and wade the Rio Grand River and they are in. No one checks that border. There is no water in the river because Mexico has used it all to produce crops that are sold in the U.S and put our farmers out of business. If these Repubicans are so worried about Homeland Security they should guard our Southern borders and save America for Americans. Our government is so worried about offending our neighbors to the south that it is at the expense of our own people.
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15 Posted by fromandrewvanbeek on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse
How would these searches (targeted at people of asian, middle eastern, or muslim background) protect the people on the flight? This is racial profiling! The data may not be checked until months after its confiscated. Fliers are just being forced to hand over their cell phones, computers, Ipods, but I dont think this is helping anyone! What they are doing is invading privacy, stealing data, and stealing valuables, possibly causing identity theft, all under the disguise that they are protecting us from terrorism! Of course, any sharp objects that may cuase harm are confiscated, liquids banned, and now electronics? WHAT CAN WE TAKE ON FLIGHTS NOWADAYS!?
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16 Posted by googirl003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse
I doubt this has happened...I know for a fact that TSA has no involvement in this. They don't have that much of an authority to be opening people's laptops and getting information..as a matter of fact they can get fired for that. I'm not sure about Customs. So get the facts straight before pointing the fingers.
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17 Posted by ddavidsmiles on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse
I flew in today from Las Vegas to Guadalajara Mexico and I have to say it is a joke. Take my shoes off, put my laptop in a seperate bin. No carryon hairspray or toothpaste. Don't think about bringing water on the plane unless of course you buy the $3 bottle at the airport concessions. All the toiletries that the terrorists don't use I can no longer travel with. I buy all of those things my first day on my trip. David http://www.VegasBookmarks.com Request Free Info: $99 Vegas Vacation
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18 Posted by dfruitloop on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:42PM EDT Report Abuse
i have had my laptop opened and files searched when i asked the customs agent he said they had all the right what happened to personel freedom
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6 Posted by philbautista on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:09PM EDT Report Abuse
dawnbaranski has it right. I'm not American but I have to admit that Customs and Immigration are controlling what gets into your country for the safety and security of your country, not the convenience of its citizens or guests. Checking of tech gadgets is the border patrol's way of protecting the property rights of companies like microsoft from people bringing in pirated software and cloned hardware from abroad. I'm not, in any way, commenting on its justice or efficiency, just on its purpose. Furthermore, what I just cited was merely an example. There may be other purposes for why they do what they do.