USA can seize travellers' laptops at the border
Thread Starter
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
USA can seize travellers' laptops at the border
It isn't new news but I liked that it got fresh coverage.
BBC News - What happens if authorities seize your laptop?
The Americans make it so easy for us to love them ...
I invite any other country to pass similar rulings and see how the Americanos react ...
(They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring)
BBC News - What happens if authorities seize your laptop?
A federal judge in New York has ruled authorities can seize travellers' laptops at the border without citing a legal reason, suspecting the traveller of a crime, or explaining themselves in any way. What happens if they take yours?
I invite any other country to pass similar rulings and see how the Americanos react ...
(They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring)
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 402
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From: UK
I have always believed that TSA employees should have 'special' passports so they can be easily identified and treated with the care and deference they deserve when travelling abroad.
Then I realised that almost none of the staff employed to make your journey miserable is allowed out without a responsible adult and are therefore unlikely to be allowed to travel outside the USA. What adult would want to admit a relationship with one of them
Then I realised that almost none of the staff employed to make your journey miserable is allowed out without a responsible adult and are therefore unlikely to be allowed to travel outside the USA. What adult would want to admit a relationship with one of them
Thread Starter
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Indeed Sunnyjohn. It is notable that, whilst the American citizan has more or less woken up to the fact that their govt is spying on them - in this country, the response is mainly amongst those who are active in privacy matters. I wonder how much the Daily Mail screamed about this?
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: apogee
Canadian border authorities have the right to inspect any electronic device being brought into the country by a passenger by aircraft, rail, bus, truck or car. You can be obliged to provide any passwords to unlock them. Not sure how the seizing works, certainly will be if any prohibited material is found on them.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,267
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From: south of Cirencester, north of Lyneham
Certain UK electronics companies concerned with defence electronics have special laptops for people travelling to the US, with the absolute minimum necessary information for the trip on it and barred access to the company network. E mails back home go to a special account which is carefully monitored before the email is passed on to the addressee - sometimes, I'm told, to the extent of re-typing it and sending on the company internal network to which is connected a different machine. This is because in some cases, it has become obvious that commercially confidential information has been abstracted and passed to US competitors.
I'm told that if a UK defence contract is involved, a laptop can be sent in the Diplomatic Bag.
My approach is not to take a laptop, and any presentation material on a new and unused memory stick.
I'm told that if a UK defence contract is involved, a laptop can be sent in the Diplomatic Bag.
My approach is not to take a laptop, and any presentation material on a new and unused memory stick.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,803
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From: Perth - Western Australia
Shock! Horror! Australian Customs and and Border Protection officers have the power to thoroughly examine ALL your personal property at entry ... even more so, if you have indicated there is "pornographic material" in your possession. 
A 100% examination of all passenger belongings, includes "data stored on electronic devices" ....
Information for Travellers -5
"Unauthorised use of cameras, mobile phones or other electronic devices", in certain areas under Australian Customs and Border Protection authority, is also a chargeable offence.
I would expect that there's little variation in laws between most Western countries when you are arriving as a foreign national for a visit, either as a tourist, or on business.
Every country checks you out quite thoroughly upon entry, to ensure they're not admitting people travelling under aliases, travelling on false passports, indulging in criminal exploits (or planning to do so whilst in the country), or just being a general scumbag and trying to enter the country, via a pack of lies.
"Border Security" is a pretty popular TV program in Australia - and it's utterly amazing some of the BS, outrageous lies and total crap, the AC&BP people have to put up with.
Border Security - Watch full episodes - PLUS7 - Yahoo!7
Possibly the major difference between the U.S. Immigration authorities and Australian Immigration authorities is that U.S. Immigration authorities appear heavy-handed and brutal in their approach - whereas the AC&BP people are discreet and polite - although firm - but they become a whole lot less discreet and polite, if you're discovered to have committed a crime, or are lying through your teeth.
A 100% examination of all passenger belongings, includes "data stored on electronic devices" ....
Information for Travellers -5
"Unauthorised use of cameras, mobile phones or other electronic devices", in certain areas under Australian Customs and Border Protection authority, is also a chargeable offence.
I would expect that there's little variation in laws between most Western countries when you are arriving as a foreign national for a visit, either as a tourist, or on business.
Every country checks you out quite thoroughly upon entry, to ensure they're not admitting people travelling under aliases, travelling on false passports, indulging in criminal exploits (or planning to do so whilst in the country), or just being a general scumbag and trying to enter the country, via a pack of lies.
"Border Security" is a pretty popular TV program in Australia - and it's utterly amazing some of the BS, outrageous lies and total crap, the AC&BP people have to put up with.
Border Security - Watch full episodes - PLUS7 - Yahoo!7
Possibly the major difference between the U.S. Immigration authorities and Australian Immigration authorities is that U.S. Immigration authorities appear heavy-handed and brutal in their approach - whereas the AC&BP people are discreet and polite - although firm - but they become a whole lot less discreet and polite, if you're discovered to have committed a crime, or are lying through your teeth.
Last edited by onetrack; 4th January 2014 at 12:10.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,117
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From: On the western edge of The Moor
Possibly the major difference between the U.S. Immigration authorities and Australian Immigration authorities is that U.S. Immigration authorities appear heavy-handed and brutal in their approach - whereas the AC&BP people are discreet and polite - although firm - but they become a whole lot less discreet and polite, if you're discovered to have committed a crime, or are lying through your teeth.
In most cases the same foodstuffs travellers are not permitted to take into the USA
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 729
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From: San Jose
I find it quite amusing when US citizens start kicking off when foodstuffs are confiscated or they are fined for not declaring them
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,056
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From: London
I've had some serious run-ins with Australian Customs and border officials - they're all the same - if they are having a bad day they take it out on the passengers
I'm amazed people are worked up about the US taking lap-tops - it was my understanding that Customs anywhere can confiscate ANYTHING
You can always go to the courts to get it back seems to be the answer if you complain
Remember that in the UK they don't even need a warrant to search your house
I'm amazed people are worked up about the US taking lap-tops - it was my understanding that Customs anywhere can confiscate ANYTHING
You can always go to the courts to get it back seems to be the answer if you complain
Remember that in the UK they don't even need a warrant to search your house
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
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From: The Isle Dordt
I remember many years ago they used to have bins and big warning notices prior to immigration at some airports, they've obviously decided to use forgetful and ignorant passengers as a revenue source instead. The beagles certainly have fun climbing all over the luggage at baggage reclaim.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...r-personal-use
(Actually, I think it's common sense to check the import regulations of your destination before packing.)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 729
Likes: 1
From: San Jose
Oh dear, that's done it. I clicked on the CBP link and found a reference to Exotic Newcastle Disease. It sort of went downhill when a quick check on Google shows that this affects birds. I didn't read further, but I assume it causes them to wears skimpy outfits in really cold weather.
On a more serious note, I did once ask a customs official if a sliced apple was OK (holding up bag containing said apple for his inspection) and it turns out that it was. I guess I'd sort of declared it for inspection purposes simply by asking.
On a more serious note, I did once ask a customs official if a sliced apple was OK (holding up bag containing said apple for his inspection) and it turns out that it was. I guess I'd sort of declared it for inspection purposes simply by asking.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,847
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From: Confoederatio Helvetica
Never take anything across borders that you do not want copied, looked at and/or seized. This includes internal borders in the Schengen area. There are ways to access data/information (somewhat) securely but don't depend on it.
No, I'm not paranoid. They really are out to get me, and you. Why? Because they can.
No, I'm not paranoid. They really are out to get me, and you. Why? Because they can.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
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From: USA
Any American who did not realize their data transmissions including telephone conversations were being monitored was extremely naïve, but it makes a news story. The same news organizations that are horrified about the NSA have in the past 2 weeks shown records of one of our baseball hero's private phone conversations from many years back involving proof he was doping. How could they have texts, phone conversations, anything from like 5 years ago if somebody wasn't recording. Watch any television drama and they show how the phone data is being used. No surprise. My laptops, encrypted by my company but all the information available to any expert decryption. But - what can they use all my info for? I have learned that if I have a drug deal going down I communicate on a one time disposable cell phone and toss the phone on a cross-country truck when I finish. My computer - everything is an open book. In all my travels, however, the only thing I have been asked to do is to boot the computer to make sure it is a computer. British Airways is the only one to have insisted my laptop go as checked luggage so I avoid them as much as possible. I am a lot more worried about being drowsy and leaving where it can be stolen. That's when my company has come down hard on any of its travelers.
News to me! Anybody else?