Anyone Traveling Into The UK Can Have Their Phones Seized And Data Downloaded Without Cause
from the the-old-rights-are-the-new-luxuries dept
An independent review of the UK's anti-terrorism laws has found that the British "border patrol" functions much like ours when it comes to electronics. If you're bringing it across the border, it can be seized, searched and the data retained indefinitely.
Officers use counter-terrorism laws to remove a mobile phone from any passenger they wish coming through UK air, sea and international rail ports and then scour their data.UK police officers are also authorized to do this to UK citizens, although they are limited to seizing the phone and downloading information only after making an arrest. The border control officers have no such limitations. Scotland Yard, which is in charge of the UK's counterterrorism efforts, spells out travelers' rights this way:
The blanket power is so broad they do not even have to show reasonable suspicion for seizing the device and can retain the information for “as long as is necessary”.
Data can include call history, contact books, photos and who the person is texting or emailing, although not the contents of messages.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000 a person may be detained and questioned for up to nine hours to determine if that individual is a person concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism as outlined in the Act.Any person being detained can have their electronics (and contained data) seized. Their data is retained even if no charges are pressed.
Under the Act, police or border staff can question and even hold someone while they ascertain whether the individual poses a terrorism risk. But no prior authorization is needed for the person to be stopped and there does not have to be any suspicion. It means a police officer can stop any passenger at random, scour their phone and download and retain data, even of the individual is then immediately allowed to proceed.David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of the UK's anti-terrorism policies, says he expects to "raise concerns" during his annual review. That's nice of him, but he seems to be a little too comfortable publicly espousing the "company line."
Mr Anderson said: “Information downloaded from mobile phones seized at ports has been very useful in disrupting terrorists and bringing them to justice.One can easily see where this is headed. Anderson will raise "concerns," which will be addressed by redefining terms like "good reason" and "necessary." That is, if the UK's border protection continues to align with the United States model. Anderson believes this unchecked power is a "useful tool" in the fight against terrorism, and as such, is unlikely to raise severe objections to its continued use.
“But ordinary travellers need to know that their private information will not be taken without good reason, or retained by the police for any longer than is necessary.”
Even the statements from Scotland Yard defending this tactic have an eerie familiarity.
As with any power to detain an individual it is used appropriately and proportionally and is always subject to scrutiny by an independent reviewer of UK anti-terror laws.Yes, that's right. Here in the US we also have nothing to fear. Everything the NSA, FBI, DHS, CBP and other acronymed agencies do under the guise of "fighting terrorism" is completely above board, subject to rigorous oversight and 100% legal. It only seems like an intrusive violation of privacy and an abuse of basic civil liberties, something that governments should be protecting us from rather than subjecting us to.
And as for that "independent review," it seems as though Anderson is already at least halfway in agreement with Scotland Yard on the perceived necessity of these policies, something that doesn't bode well for international travelers.
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Filed Under: computers, seizures, smartphones, uk
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And with the "constitution free zones" in the USA, it is also a good idea to wipe your phone, even when travelling in the USA. I do not live within that zone, but have relatives that do. Before I get into the car to go on a trip, I do a Factory Data Reset on the phone, so that I am ever stopped, and a cop wants to look at the data in my phone, there is nothing there for him to see. This way if a cop ever seizes my phone, he will not get anything.
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(*I am not a metallurgist)
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I wonder if Glyn moody can find out more about it...
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Please Please Please
I seem to only hear about the successful ones that "could have been prevented" if only governments could have MORE power to search and seize.
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Re: Please Please Please
We don't want terrorists to know what evil plots were foiled -- that way when they try the same tatic again we will be able to thwart them again. I'm sure you understand that this is for your protection.
Sincerly,
Big Brother
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Re: Please Please Please
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Yay!
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Also bear in mind that the things you have to do to be considered a "terrorist" are extremely easy - as found out in 2005.
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meh secret court of love( part 5)
B) never save your passwords on your phone when using its internet thus no cookie or way can be used against you
C) never use phone for anyhting and never take it where you would not tell a policemen where you are , or are going.
D) make sure loads a fuck govt and penis images are on your camera aspect so they get the hint
E ) always mail your self 20 times a day a giant penis image
2.6 billion people times 10
they must be penis lovers running the program....
call said image differant things like
"this is da bomb"
"this would terrorise"
and
"be proud when she makes noise"
LOL
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Re: meh secret court of love( part 5)
"Ready to explode"
"Thoughts of 40 virgins"
"Ready for the subway"
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There is only one way to make them stop this: every phone should have a folder labelled "Terrorist stuff, do not peek", placed in an easily discovered location, filled with goatse style pics.
If they want to know everything and see everything, they have to be prepared for the consequences :)
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Harassment
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Fucking idiots
If you must travel with a personal device, make sure to load it up with viruses and malware for the PCs they'll be downloading the data to so that they get infected and destroyed.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_disclosure_law#United_Kingdom
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Sneeze on a cop - Chemical warfare / Terrorist
Using Google Search Operators - Evil Genius Terrorist
Using Google - Probably a Terrorist.
Using Duck Duck Go - Insecure Terrorist
Using Yahoo - Probably a Retarded Terrorist
Using Bing - LOL ^
Singing Bawitdaba in an Airport - Pushing it Terrorist
Singing Click Click Boom in an Airport - Fucked Terrorist
Singing Poker Face in an Airport - Transvestite Terrorist
Passing through Airport security naked - Better be hot or you're a Insane Naked Terrorist
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'Excuse me sir/madam, but why aren't you wearing any clothing?'
'I figured I was going to have to take it all off when I went through security anyway, so I'd just save everyone the hassle and do it ahead of time.'
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Moronic
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V for Vendetta
Government should be afraid of the people!"
...a sentiment I believe in.
Without government being reminded every now and then that it is "by the people and for the people", it will over time revert to tyrannical behaviour.
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Avoidance is the best policy
Which is why, when visiting our relatives in Southern Ireland, my family travels there via Northern Ireland. No passport check = no data grab.
*starts singing* Yar-har, fiddle-dee-dee
You know a pirate's the best thing to be!
UK don't get private data from me
'Cos I'm a pirate!
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