U.S. Authorities Can Now Seize Laptops Arbitrarily, Indefinitely

[Liberal Dose]

Thinking about taking your laptop across the border for your next trip up north or down south? News hitting the wires today indicates that you might want to re-think that plan, unless you feel like being separated from your precious gadgets. Apparently, border agents have given themselves the right to seize any piece of electronics equipment they feel like, even if they don't think you've done anything wrong, and they can keep your toys for as long as they like.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0126069520080801?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews

This is under "Technology News" :wtf:

[Union Thug]

1. Seizing MacBooks for the fatherland. SIG HEIL!

[Liberal Dose]

2. How long before the TSA thinks this is a good idea? nt

:hi:

[bushmeister0]

5. How long before they just start inviting themselves into our homes?

The WaPo:

"Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff wrote in an opinion piece published last month in USA Today that 'the most dangerous contraband is often contained in laptop computers or other electronic devices.' Searches have uncovered 'violent jihadist materials' as well as images of child pornography, he wrote."

Wow! Souds really sary. Well, if that's he case (to protect the children, of course), then why not give blanket authority to look at all personal electronics every where and at any time? Check points on I-95, perhaps, and random laptop checks on the streets.

[MadHound]

6. Don't worry, we're headed in that direction

First it is seizure at the border, then at the airport, then will come the government via online, diving into every home and work computer, all in the name of national security.

[Liberal Dose]

3. *crickets chirping*

[Raineyb]

4. Fuck DHS

Who the hell do they think think they are? They'll get the pass phrase for my encrypted files out of my cold dead... Never mind.

This is a blatant violation of the 4th amendment and Congress ought to do something about it pronto!

Regards

[L. Coyote]

7. This has been happening for years now!! Get a receipt or never see it again!!!!

[bushmeister0]

8. I like this bit.

The WaPo:

"DHS officials said the newly disclosed policies . . . have long been in place but were disclosed last month because of public interest in the matter."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103030.html?hpid=topnews

How many other policies do they have that they haven't gotten around to sharing with us?

'Oh, by the way, we've been locking up all suspicious foreigners and citizens and putting them in camps for awhile now. Thanks for your interest in this matter. Protect the children!'

[Nay]

9. Since when is it the job of airport screeners to "protect business

information and attorney-client privileged information"? And how the fuck would they be able to tell that from looking through laptops or papers? Utter bullshit.