Posted 08/04/08 at 10:52:18 AM by Paul Lilly
Homeland Security is once again drawing criticism, this time over a newly disclosed policy that has apparently existed for some time. According to the Washington Post, U.S. agents have (and have had) the authority to seize and retain laptops indefinitely, which has resulted in some travelers reporting not getting them back. And not just laptops, but all kinds of electronic devices, like cell phones, music players, portable hard drives, and more.
While the policy isn't new, it's only now being stated publicly and the contents of the DHS document has civil rights activists and lawmakers up in arms. Not only does it appear that government officials have the power to seize electronic devices, but according to U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, customs agents are allowed to analyze the contents of laptops without any suspicion of wrongdoing.
"The policies that have been disclosed are truly alarming," Feingold wrote in a statement.
Do you agree?
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Links:
[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/one4yu2c
[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080102988.html
[3] http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/06/24/seizing-laptops-and-cameras-without-cause.html
[4] http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Government/US-Agents-Can-Seize-Laptops/
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/pretty_good_privacy_is_pretty_legally_protected
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/will_google_s_street_view_bring_about_the_end_of_personal_privacy
[7] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/technology_jumbles_facial_features_can_solve_street_view_privacy_issues
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