DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by SeaKing

Also that might have been that lady Warthog pilot who could fly without hydraulics. I am sure she could cook as well if she could do that.

The A-10 is one of my favorite planes. Very cool looking

[SeaKing]

Originally Posted by ebusinesstutor

As a Canadian who regularly travels to the US, the seizure of electronic devices is of definite concern to me.

I work from my laptop, but would never take it on a US trip. We have a basic netbook with minimal info on it that we would take.

I would like to take my Galaxy Note smart phone for maps, calling, email, research, etc. but am nervous that it could be confiscated if some border agent is having bad day. Not worried about the ebook reader as they are inexpensive and easily replaced.

I understand seizing them when there is reasonable suspicion makes sense. But "suspicionless" seizing sounds like fishing expeditions and an abuse of power.

It is hard to attract tourists when there is this kind of draconian rules in place.

I am similar with the net-book, and I don't like to fly near the Southern border because of the drug cops. They are very antsy about aircraft down there.

[Cyberman tM]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

“We also conclude that imposing a requirement that officers have reasonable suspicion in order to conduct a border search of an electronic device would be operationally harmful without concomitant civil rights/civil liberties benefits,” the executive summary said.''

I probably misunderstand this, but this reads as if they are saying "Our officers can't be bothered to actually think up a reason to search a device when they feel like browsing through the files of a random stranger who has done nothing to atttract interest, apart from having an electronic device."

They now(?) have the right to search an electronic device just for the hell of it? Seriously?
I'd think they had at least come up with a reason, like "this guy walks funny" or something?

[Freeshadow]

Saves them a lot of time. Why download porn at home?
Take your USB stick on patrol