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Location: Alerts for 7/07/08
Discussion: Are government laptop searches and seizures justified?
Keyword tags:
business traveler
Homeland Security
laptop
search
seizure
warrantless
(edit keyword tags)
Watch
 jimglab |
Are government laptop searches and seizures justified?
Jul 6 2008, 7:51 PM EDT A corporate travel organization is lobbying for new regulations to rein in the right of border agents to search, copy data from, and even confiscate a traveler’s laptop without a warrant (see this week’s story). Our questions this week: Did you know the government can do that to inbound international travelers? Has it ever happened to you? Do you think security concerns justify this practice? Post your comments here. Do you find this valuable? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Are government laptop searches and seizures justified?
Jul 7 2008, 1:50 PM EDT "A corporate travel organization is lobbying for new regulations to rein in the right of border agents to search, copy data from, and even confiscate a traveler’s laptop without a warrant (see this week’s story). Our questions this week: Did you know the government can do that to inbound international travelers? Has it ever happened to you? Do you think security concerns justify this practice? Post your comments here.While I did not know that they have the right, it unfortunately does not surprise me. Under some of the erosoive terms of the Patriot Act et. seq., our rights within our own country have been more and more compromised. The concept of illegal search and seizure seems to have lost its meaning anymore, and the knee jerk reactions to the terms "homelandd security" and "patriotism" have pervaded our lives, up to and including the Presidential campaigns. Fortunately I have not had this happen to me - or I might well be in prison now. And without justification (more than simple profiling concerns) I don't believe this is any more justifiable than warrantless wiretaps were, which by the way have been under legal siege for years and are losing the battle. The thread that they still cling to is the "secret FISA court" that can establish that they are needed; and that clearly is NOT the case in arbitrary and immediate decisions by the border patrol to confiscate, search, or electronically seize data. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Are government laptop searches and seizures justified?
Jul 7 2008, 7:55 PM EDT This is an absolute abomination to constitutional rights that every US citizen is guaranteed. I’ve kept tabs on this issue and it’s not just laptop computers being examined, but iPods and phones as well that can be confiscated with no due process at all – just because a customs agent this you may have “bad” data on your electronic device. HLS and customs say this is permissible since they are authorized to search every passenger to ensure the safety of the flight, etc. Well, the flight has already landed, the electronics were x-rayed, what else is needed? As a US citizen, law enforcement just can’t come up to me to search me and seize what they think is inappropriate. Why as a citizen, coming into the country, standing on US soil, do the rules change? While I’m all for keeping terrorists, etc out of the country, how many rights are US citizens going to give up. BTW, if I was a betting person, I would bet that most people don’t know about this. Furthermore, the illegal search and seizures have been upheld by the 9th Circuit court. As the US continues this, other countries will step up to the plate if you will. I’ve heard rumors that some EU countries are considering this, not only for security, but to fight copyright infringement as well (i.e. illegally obtained software and music). Unfortunately this is just another fall for the US as it slides down from being a world leader to some third rate country. Do you find this valuable? |
 PRIVATECOACH |
RE: Are government laptop searches and seizures justified?
Jul 10 2008, 8:28 PM EDT "A corporate travel organization is lobbying for new regulations to rein in the right of border agents to search, copy data from, and even confiscate a traveler’s laptop without a warrant (see this week’s story). Our questions this week: Did you know the government can do that to inbound international travelers? Has it ever happened to you? Do you think security concerns justify this practice? Post your comments here.NO YESTERDAY MY CLIENT LEFT LAX TO COME TO PHOENIX AZ AND THE SECURITY WANTED TO TAKE HIS LAPTOP .HE TOLD THEM TO TAKE THEIR HANDS OFF AS HE WAS A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE AND THEN THEY DID... 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Anonymous |
RE: Are government laptop searches and seizures justified?
Jul 12 2008, 9:39 AM EDT I wish there was a forum to expand this conversation to the many items that simply come up missing from checked luggage. IS THERE NOTHINg THE AIR TRAVELER CAN DO ABOUT THIS? You report it to the airline and all you get is a sympathetic ear and a phone number to call. I'm not even sure they keep tabs on what's being reported. I recently took a poll among people standing in line with me at a checkin cunter and three out of five had things (often new, still packaged clothing and cosmetic items) come up missing. Is TSA being monitored, too? 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
