A new policy detailed in documents issued by the US Department of Homeland Security reveals that US agents now have the authority to seize and retain the laptops of those travelling to the US indefinitely.
As part of border search policy, government agents are now authorised to seize electronic devices and inspect documents in them, the document states. The electronic devices might include laptops, mobile phones, portable music players or storage devices such as portable hard drives.
Agents with US Customs and Border Protection will also be allowed to translate and share documents with other government agencies.
The DHS document, issued on July 16, appears to state publicly a policy that has already existed. Laptops and electronic devices have been subject to search in the past, and travellers have reported not getting their devices back. The policy has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers and nonprofit groups, who charged that the searches were invasive and a violation of an individual's privacy rights. Computers contain a vast amount of private information about family, finances and health, which could be easily copied and stored in government databases, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has complained.
The policy document states that being able to examine documents and electronic devices is crucial for "detecting information concerning terrorism, narcotics smuggling ... contraband including child pornography, and ... other import or export control laws".
The new DHS policies allow customs agents to analyse the contents of laptops without any suspicion of wrongdoing, US Senator Russ Feingold said in a statement.
"The policies that have been disclosed are truly alarming," Feingold wrote.
The policy could blur the distinction between 'search' and 'seizure', which could also allow DHS officials to steal personal documents from laptops it has retained, Feingold wrote.
Comments
Mark Machon said: so we could end up seeing ouy private vids and pictures on YouTube in the future as there security of US sensitive equipment is not to good they have seem to have a lot of compromises in the past
C.Orr said: Bog standard 17-inch laptop
Colin Wankle said: Well I always travel with two laptops for this very reason I use an ultraportable that goes in the bottom of my washbag at border crossings and carryy a bogstandard 17in laptop for goons to searchyou have to fight back people
Dave Shears said: One way round this would be to travel with a desktop Obviously youd need a small screen and there wouldnt be much space for a mouse Other than that it would solve this OTT law
Bill Taylor said: Well thats itIll not holiday in the USA We was considering a trip but its now off the cards