Seizing Laptops and Cameras at the Border—Too Intrusive?

The government has been seizing electronics from randomly selected travelers. Tell us what you think

By U.S. News Staff

June 25, 2008 RSS Feed Print

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee is holding a hearing today into the U.S. customs policy of randomly seizing laptops and other electronic gear from U.S. travelers when they re-enter the country and holding it for days or even months at a time. Is this policy appropriate for domestic security, or is it excessively intrusive? Post your thoughts below.

Previously: Charlie Black's terrorist attack comment—a flub or the quiet truth?

Tags:: airlines,; cameras,; Customs and Border Protection,; laptops,; travel,; Department of Homeland Security,; computers

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information and PROOF of information are what the government does not want us to have. this is why they have made these screens. Other screens include taking the computers from them when they ARENT crossing borders etc.. even KILLING journalists.

harold elen of MN 6:02PM October 22, 2008

The "search" of laptops is a joke. Anyone with half a brain can encrypt their drives with undetectable, virtual disks. Truecrypt does this in a matter of a few clicks.The encryptions used have not been cracked so far and can take years to brute force. Criminals know this and will use it. The odds of the CBP actually catching a criminal with information that is incriminating is so incredibly small its just not worth it. The only people that will be affected are law abidng citizens that don't know that much about computer security.
The seizure of the laptops can have serious effects on the lives of those who are the victims of the CBP. It can cause serious financial damage if the laptop is used for business. You have to ask yourself "Is it worth it" and "Would I put of with such blatant abuse of power if it wasn't for 9/11". Realize, not everyone is a terrorist. 19 hijackers on 9/11 and now people think everyone is a suspect.
Think back to the times before, even during desert storm things were not so bad. Things need to change.
You wouldn't let the contents of your home be searched and seized without a warrant. Why should you have to worry about your belongings being searched just because you decide you want the freedom of travelling.

Greg of FL 6:56AM August 04, 2008

Americans have traditionally enjoyed freedoms of speech and privacy greater than other totalitarian regimes like the Soviet Union, communist China, East Germany, Tunisia, Syria and North Korea. But those days seem to number now. The current level of State intrusion into the lives of the average, law-adiding US citizen is now greater than in China TODAY.
Sadly, Americans did not study and heed the call of our Founding Fathers, particularly the great Ben Franklin, when he offered this great lesson for future generations, "If you sacrifice your liberty for security, then you will eventually lose both."
Anyone who believes that all Americans and travelers in America are potential "terrorists" has completely lost their understanding of what is the US Constitution. The slowly increasing Police State is the single greatest threat to freedom and tranquility in America.
The exaggerated fear of Arabs with 40 yrs old machine guns, and the fairy tale of the "suitcase nuke" has caused Americans to allow any manner of East Germany-style spying and violations in their lives. We watch TV and think that 24 is real. It's not. But Soviet control is real and we are getting it now. As mentioned earlier, in China you are free to travel with digital media and film in public. In America... you ar not.
On this course, the State will dissolve and regulate every last freedom we ever had. What a pathetic and shamefull state of affairs.

Patrick James of CA 8:34AM June 27, 2008

Seizing Laptops and Cameras at the Border—Too Intrusive?

The government has been seizing electronics from randomly selected travelers. Tell us what you think

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