Protecting Yourself From Suspicionless Searches While Traveling
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The Ninth Circuit’s recent ruling (pdf) in United States v. Arnold allows border patrol agents to search your laptop or other digital device without limitation when you are entering the country. EFF and many civil liberties, travelers’ rights, immigration advocacy and professional organizations are concerned that unfettered laptop searches endanger trade secrets, attorney-client communications, and other private information. These groups have signed a letter asking Congress to hold hearings to find out what protocol, if any, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) follows in searching digital devices and copying, storing and using travelers’ data. The letter also asks Congress to pass legislation protecting travelers’ laptops and smart phones from unlimited government scrutiny.
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In the meantime, how can international travelers protect themselves at the U.S. border, short of leaving their laptops and iPhones at home?
The EFF has many suggestions, but it really boils down to: if you’re not a US citizen, don’t travel to the US if you can avoid it. If you are a US citizen, you’re fucked.
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