We think people should know that they basically are leaving their right to privacy at the door when they cross the U.S. border. There is no assumption of privacy [at a port of entry].
Susan Gurley, executive director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives
Gert came home stunned today ...
A newsletter had been circulated, reminding people traveling to the States that they should be aware of what can happen to their laptops and usb sticks ...
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives have an interesting 3 page article.
Reading further, having not really taken me seriously when I mentioned people losing their laptops when entering America, he discovered the article I took my title from - 5 things to know laptop searches at U.S. borders.
1. No evidence needed to take your laptop ... follow the above link to read more
2. Anything can be searched: Everything on an electronic device is open to search. This includes personal photographs, personal banking, any business documents and stored or unopened e-mail, Gurley said.
3. Your PC might not be returned right away: Seized devices may be kept for an indefinite period of time.
4. Don't take anything you don't want to share.
5. Be cooperative:Cooperate with customs officials. Ask for a receipt and a badge number if your computer is seized. Try and get whatever information you can on the reason why it was seized.
see, i might be right about my whole hermit lifestyle i'm employing since my divorce. i can just hide and no one will bother me.
ReplyDeleteWhen V-grrrl is back home in the US, visiting her may prove difficult...
ReplyDeleteNot only our 'non-American' laptops can be searched (and seized) by US immigration/homeland security/etc,
we (being non American) are at risk of being held on suspicion of anything those nice folks at US homeland paranoia can think of.
The current Bush administration turned visiting the US into a nightmare: my brother (a very frequent flyer) shared stories with me you wouldn't believe.
In fact, it's a pity: ever since the dollar starting crashing the US became a dead cheap vacation destination for Europeans.