The PC Privacy Battle at the Border

“Staff members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies have
the authority to seize electronic devices at U.S. ports of entry,
examine the information they contain, and destroy copies of that
information.

“That authority comes from a DHS policy publicized July 16 that
sparked opposition from several civil liberties organizations last
year. It also led to the tabling of Senate Bill S. 3612, also known
as the “Travelers’ Privacy Protection Act,” in the U.S. Senate
Sept. 26. The act was introduced by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.)
and cosponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Daniel Akaka
(D-Hi.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Little progress has been made so
far.

“CBP issued a new directive on border searches Aug. 20 to
clarify matters. This directive states that CBP officers can
perform searches whether or not they have cause to suspect the
targets of the searches.”

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