ACLU sues government over laptop searches, seizures - Truckers' Trucking Forum

rookietrucker · **^ Top** #1 08.29.2009

ACLU sues government over laptop searches, seizures

Quote:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected about 1,000 laptop computers from travelers and others who made border crossings between Oct. 1, 2008, and Aug. 11, 2009, the federal government said this week.

The government hasn’t disclosed, however, how many laptops have been seized and for how long federal investigators have kept laptops in their possession.

Because little is known about the federal government’s searches of electronic media devices, the American Civil Liberties Union this week sued the U.S. CBP to obtain records on the searches.

The issue could affect truck drivers, including many who haul into Canada or Mexico and use laptops for electronic logbooks, mapping and e-mail.

more here>> ACLU sues government over laptop searches, seizures

kajidono · **^ Top** #2 08.29.2009

That's a pretty invasive search considering what the internet is for.

truckermario · **^ Top** #3 08.29.2009

I've got intellectual property on my laptop as well as some games I'm very fond of. I'll be damned if some government crook tells me to hand it over just because.

Roadmedic · **^ Top** #4 08.29.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckermario

I've got intellectual property on my laptop as well as some games I'm very fond of. I'll be damned if some government crook tells me to hand it over just because.

When you cross the border, it becomes interesting.

Canada wanted to search my computer for child porn. They grabbed it and started off with it. I stopped them and told them I have no problem with the search, but the computer could not leave my sight. I have professional tax client information on the computer and am responsible for their financial info. They stopped and I went back with them.

The US stated, they can search and take as much as 4 months to return the computer.

PharmPhail · **^ Top** #5 08.29.2009

My computer has PGP installed. They can keep it for all the good it will do them.

kajidono · **^ Top** #6 08.29.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmPhail

My computer has PGP installed. They can keep it for all the good it will do them.

If that's encryption be very careful. There's a whole nother set of laws dealing with taking certain levels of encryption or encryption software across national borders. Finding that alone will get you in federal court real quick.

danc694u · **^ Top** #7 08.29.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kajidono

If that's encryption be very careful. There's a whole nother set of laws dealing with taking certain levels of encryption or encryption software across national borders. Finding that alone will get you in federal court real quick.

Yeh...but only on one charge if it was strong enough

I don't think 128 bit will cause problems at the CA/US border. I haven't read up on it lately. But I would be surprised if 256 caused issues.

Hell you can walk across and buy a copy. Super Cop wouldn't know the differance.

kajidono · **^ Top** #8 08.29.2009

Well, normally it wouldn't. But with things the way they're getting and them saying they can keep it for 4 months, they'll figure it out and charge you out of frustration. There's also another law that makes it a crime to encrypt anything at any level and refuse to let them look at what you have encrypted if they decide they want to.

danc694u · **^ Top** #9 08.29.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kajidono

...snipped.. There's also another law that makes it a crime to encrypt anything at any level and refuse to let them look at what you have encrypted if they decide they want to.

Man law dictates that you be willing to spend at least 50% less time in jail.

ALL border crossing require front and back nude photes on your PC.

This insures that you haven't hidden any top secret documents under the clothing in the pictures.

sazook · **^ Top** #10 08.29.2009

I know PGP got in trouble when they first started out for exporting their software. At the time exporting any type of encryption software over 40 bits brought a charge of exporting munitions. Not sure if that law still exists, or if having the software on a personal computer in Canada would even be against the law.

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