Travelers' laptops can be detained at border, contents shared, without suspicion
ELLEN NAKASHIMA (WASHINGTON POST):
Federal agents may take a traveler's laptop or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing, as part of border search policies the Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed.
Also, officials may share copies of the laptop's contents with other agencies and private entities for language translation, data decryption or other reasons, according to the policies, dated July 16 and issued by two DHS agencies, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"The policies . . . are truly alarming," said Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), who is probing the government's border search practices. He said he intends to introduce legislation soon that would require reasonable suspicion for border searches, as well as prohibit profiling on race, religion or national origin.
DHS officials said that the newly disclosed policies -- which apply to anyone entering the country, including U.S. citizens -- are reasonable and necessary to prevent terrorism. Officials said such procedures have long been in place but were disclosed last month because of public interest in the matter. READ IT ALL
Chatterstream
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CRUNCHGEAR: How much do you trust the Department of Homeland Security? Like, a lot, or a lot lot?
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DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND: DHS: No need to apply pesky 4th Amendment to laptops [Leans Left]
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TOM WRIGHT: WP Half-Month Late Reporting This, But At Least They're Looking...
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BLOGJUNKIES: DHS border policy: we can steal anything from you, read all your data, and disclose it to anyone we want
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