Your Laptop Is Subject to Seizure at Airports

[Patrck_744]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. federal agents have been given new powers to seize travelers' laptops and other electronic devices at the border and hold then for unspecified periods the Washington Post reported on Friday.
Under recently disclosed Department of Homeland Security policies, such seizures may be carried out without suspicion of wrongdoing, the newspaper said, quoting policies issued on July 16 by two DHS agencies.
Agents are empowered to share the contents of seized computers with other agencies and private entities for data decryption and other reasons, the newspaper said.


DHS officials said the policies applied to anyone entering the country, including U.S. citizens, and were needed to prevent terrorism.
The measures have long been in place but were only disclosed in July, under pressure from civil liberties and business travel groups acting on reports that increasing numbers of international travelers had had their laptops, cellphones and other digital devices removed and examined.


The policies cover hard drives, flash drives, cell phones, iPods, pagers, beepers, and video and audio tapes -- as well as books, pamphlets and other written materials, the report said.


The policies require federal agents to take measures to protect business information and attorney-client privileged material. They stipulate that any copies of the data must be destroyed when a review is completed and no probable cause exists to keep the information.

PCWorld

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All I can is Waaww, I know this is supposed to help our Homeland Security but there is no way in hell my pr0n will be taken away from me.

[Kel]

If I bring my desktop computer do you think they'd plug it in and check my stuff?

:O

Seems a bit ridiculous.

[Holy Cowboy]

So much for taking a flight into the US and playing one's PSP or DS to kill time.

[anurok]

That is the biggest bunch of bull shit I have ever heard.

You touch my DS before a 12 hour flight and I will fucking destroy you.

[Keerua]

I wonder how many cases of terrorism has been prevented since the patriot act and all its lovely friends........all this BS starts to sound like Nazi Germany. I am so glad I live in Norway.

[Sasori da God]

wonder if they realise it just makes them seem incompent, is someone really gonna hi jack a plane or smuggle weapons with a cell phone, a ds, and a fucking book

[krozar]

As long as it is to prevent terrorists from making plans, then anything should be permitted! Terrorists will undoubtedly use their arms, so I sent a suggestion to the TSA that everyone on a flight must be handcuffed.

It is in the interest of national security.

Originally Posted by Keerua

I wonder how many cases of terrorism has been prevented since the patriot act and all its lovely friends........all this BS starts to sound like Nazi Germany. I am so glad I live in Norway.

Norway is in the Schengen zone. From my understanding it's known to be quite tougher than US standards, including the use of biometrics.

[Keerua]

Weird, I thought being in the Schengen zone meant the opposite, free travel within the zone, at least that was the case 3-4 years ago, just a passport check.

[krozar]

to leave and exit the zone is where the security is. Interstate travel is opened up.

But still have to show a passport? That's stricter than how it was (up until this year) to travel to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Didn't even need a passport. Now it's required for re-entering the US. But no prob because Cuba won't stamp US passports.

[Patrck_744]

US Border Agency Says It Can Seize Laptops

This has gone too far.

[Righteous Judgment]

seizing laptops isn't going too far but it is hella inconvenient

Originally Posted by krozar

As long as it is to prevent terrorists from making plans, then anything should be permitted! Terrorists will undoubtedly use their arms, so I sent a suggestion to the TSA that everyone on a flight must be handcuffed.

It is in the interest of national security.



Norway is in the Schengen zone. From my understanding it's known to be quite tougher than US standards, including the use of biometrics.

Imagine if they did that lol? unless terrorists or other criminals had a means of freeing themselves they would never be able to pose a threat to anyone but then taking a leak would suck. You would have to shoot without aiming lol

[Madara.Uchiha]

+1 on handcuffing all middle eastern people on flights. /joke

[Mossarelli]

Ha, I thought of using that Internet joke of a counting timer in red text. And lots of Arabic text and stuff. I'll sneak my iPhone aboard anyway. I have plane mode, mohahahaha.

[X2thaU]

^enjoy getting shot

[Madara.Uchiha]

Originally Posted by Mossarelli

Ha, I thought of using that Internet joke of a counting timer in red text. And lots of Arabic text and stuff. I'll sneak my iPhone aboard anyway. I have plane mode, mohahahaha.

Haha i know that jihad countdown thingy u wer talkin about, just cant seem to find it anymore..

[MD]

Your Laptop Is Subject to Seizure at Airports

OH SHI-, Laptop epilepsy.

And this is buuuullshit, thank Christ I don't live in the US.

[The One]

My friend went on a fight to London from the US and his iPod touch got taken away because they felt it was unsafe. BULLSHIT, his kid just needed a birthday gift.

[anurok]

That article says "indefinitely"

I will smash the laptop before some fucking agent gets to touch it and keep it for as long as they want.

Then sue National Security for ruining my business etc etc, get rich, lulz.

[meeda]

What the? This is bad news indeed. So they're just randomly seize material from passengers? Maybe there's a profiling they use, because if there's not, I won't risk bringing my laptop anywhere that requires flying anymore, or any electronics for that matter. Disposable cellphones anyone?

[AnarchoElk]

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.


You've all dug this hole with your laziness and your apathy. Don't cry over your precious computers, its only what you've had coming.