Phone Searches Now Default Mode At The Border; More Searches Last Month Than In All Of 2015

from the [Oprah-voice]-YOU'RE-GETTING-A-PHONE-SEARCH!-AND-YOU'RE-GETTING-A-PHONE dept

The Constitution -- which has always been malleable when national security interests are in play -- simply no longer applies at our nation's borders. Despite the Supreme Court's finding that cell phone searches require warrants, the DHS and CBP have interpreted this to mean it doesn't apply to searches of devices entering/leaving the country.

For the past 15 years, the government has won 9/10 constitutional-violation edge cases if they occurred within 100 miles of our borders -- a no man's land colloquially referred to as the "Constitution-free zone." But the pace of device searches has increased exponentially over the last couple of years. The "border exception" is no longer viewed as an "exception" -- something to be deployed only when customs officers had strong suspicions about a person or their devices. Now, it's the rule, as NBC News reports.

Data provided by the Department of Homeland Security shows that searches of cellphones by border agents has exploded, growing fivefold in just one year, from fewer than 5,000 in 2015 to nearly 25,000 in 2016.

According to DHS officials, 2017 will be a blockbuster year. Five-thousand devices were searched in February alone, more than in all of 2015.

Given the current state of immigration policy, this will get a whole lot worse before it gets better… if it ever does. Expanding government power is easy. Contracting it is almost impossible.

In practical terms, boots-on-the-ground travelers are being subjected to intrusive searches just because there's nothing effectual in the law to prevent it. Asserting your rights at the border is a non-starter. You simply don't have any. No one's going to be playing Twenty Quasi-Relevant Questions with travelers hoping to luck into consent. Officers and agents are seizing and searching devices by force.

A couple who had traveled to Canada twice in a period of three days were subjected to invasive device searches both time. The second time much more force was applied to ensure compliance.

Three days later, they returned from another trip to Canada and were stopped again by CBP.

"One of the officers calls out to me and says, 'Hey, give me your phone,'" recalled Shibly. "And I said, 'No, because I already went through this.'"

The officer asked a second time..

Within seconds, he was surrounded: one man held his legs, another squeezed his throat from behind. A third reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. McCormick watched her boyfriend's face turn red as the officer's chokehold tightened.

Then they asked McCormick for her phone.

"I was not about to get tackled," she said. She handed it over.

The coercion doesn't have to be a chokehold. It can just be the fact that government agents stand between you and your home and aren't willing to let you get back to the part of the country where your rights still exist without you handing over PINs and passwords.

On February 9, Haisam Elsharkawi was stopped by security while trying to board his flight out of Los Angeles International Airport. He said that six Customs officers told him he was randomly selected. They demanded access to his phone and when he refused, Elsharkawi said they handcuffed him, locked him in the airport's lower level and asked questions including how he became a citizen. Elsharkawi thought he knew his rights and demanded access to legal counsel.

"They said if I need a lawyer, then I must be guilty of something," said Elsharkawi, and Egyptian-born Muslim and naturalized U.S. citizen. After four hours of questioning in detention, he unlocked his smartphone and, after a search, was eventually released. Elsharkawi said he intends to sue the Department of Homeland Security.

This is how certain government agents and agencies view constitutional rights: as luxuries only needed by people with something to hide. This mindset -- combined with Trump's "gloves off" approach to immigration enforcement -- helps explain the 5,000 device searches in the last 30 days. Device searches were always considered intrusive, despite the Constitution-free aspect of US borders. These were saved for criminal suspects and watchlisted travelers. Now, it's everyone.

The only good news to come out of this is a potential change in applicable laws. Sen. Ron Wyden is introducing a bill to create a warrant requirement for device searches at the border. Unfortunately, it's being introduced into an ecosystem now streamlined to reject affirmations of existing rights. If it somehow makes it to the President's desk without being amended into uselessness, there's almost zero chance Donald Trump won't veto it. Given the current makeup of Congress, it's unlikely there's enough support for a bill that might give "bad hombres" more rights to override a veto.

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Filed Under: 4th amendment, border searches, cbp, constitution free zone, device searches, dhs, privacy


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  • identicon
    Jordan Chandler, 14 Mar 2017 @ 10:54am

    Wiping phone

    Could I get in trouble for wiping my phone before landing and restoring it after getting home?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:22am

      Re: Wiping phone

      Could I get in trouble for wiping my phone before landing and restoring it after getting home?

      Sure, border agents can hassle you for any reason or no reason.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:24am

      Re: Wiping phone

      Wipe? Like with a cloth?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:34pm

        Re: Wiping phone

        ...use a copy of the U.S. Constitution, it apparently has no value otherwise

        So the Courts, Presidents, and Congress will not obey the 4th Amendment nor Constitution (?) And Ron Wyden, who has accomplished nothing in last 45 years, is our primary hope of justice ??

        How's that NCAA March Madness lookin' ?

        Serfs need not worry about their rulers' rules

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:05pm

          Re: Re: Wiping phone

          Note to self: before re-entering US, set my phone background to a copy of the 4th amendment.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2017 @ 7:19am

            Re: Re: Re: Wiping phone

            Be careful... that is a good way to get a streak of shit on your phone, cause someone is going to wipe their ass with that!

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Jordan Chandler, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:16pm

        Re: Re: Wiping phone

        Are you familiar with Slang?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:35am

      Re: Wiping phone

      If you have to come to the US and have to have a phone I'd suggest picking up a cheap, temporary one before entering the US. It might get you flagged as 'suspicious' to bring a 'new' phone, but if they're that interested in you you were probably screwed anyway, and if they do search/steal/destroy it there won't be anything for them to find.

      (As an aside it just struck me, again, how insane it is to be recommending that people avoid an entire country, and telling them that if they absolutely have to go there to expect the absolute worst and prepare accordingly. Ah the insanity that is the current USG...)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:38am

        Re: Re: Wiping phone

        > how insane it is to be recommending that people avoid an entire country

        The Overton window is widening.

        https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Avoiding_travel_through_the_United_States

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Avatar28 (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:04pm

        Re: Re: Wiping phone

        From the phrasing of the question, it sounds like he is already a US Citizen and lives here. So not coming here isn't really an option.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          David, 15 Mar 2017 @ 9:11am

          Re: Re: Re: Wiping phone

          Not coming in the U.S. certainly is a viable and responsible option for him. "Failure to procreate" is not yet a crime.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        peter, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:46pm

        Re: Re: Wiping phone

        My company forbids taking any computer other than a totally fresh install that has never been connected to the company network, and a completely 'virgin' phone (i.e. a new number that has not been used by an employee before and you are not allowed to use it before you go)
        It has actually become easier to travel without any electronic devices, purchase new when over there and just throw them in the bin when leaving.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 16 Mar 2017 @ 7:40am

          Re: Re: Re: Wiping phone

          > It has actually become easier to travel without any electronic devices, purchase new when over there and just throw them in the bin when leaving.

          If you're rich. But in that case, customs won't be a problem anyway.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 16 Mar 2017 @ 8:05am

          Re: Re: Re: Wiping phone

          Instead of throwing the electronics into a bin why not donate them to a local charity. Propose it to the company as a form of local outreach, good PR and possibly another write off.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        mhajicek (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 9:35pm

        Re: Re: Wiping phone

        People have been denied entry for having a clean phone or no phone, under the assumption that they had something to hide.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2017 @ 5:00am

          Re: Re: Re: Wiping phone

          Well, the more often they violate travellers privacy, the more usual it will become to travel with a wiped phone.

          "Oh, everybody knows you have to wipe your phone when going to the USA or China, or North Korea".

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      sorrykb (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:55am

      Re: Wiping phone

      If you're a U.S. citizen? The answer appears to be officially, legally, probably, no. Maybe. Unless CBP feels like it.

      https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/can-border-agents-search-your-electronic-devices-its-compli cated

      We can hope that maybe someone who is not in a vulnerable position (wrt citizenship, employment, family, finances, or anything else) is able/willing to challenge this in court.

      But we know (1) the people most likely to be targeted for abuse are the people worst equipped to fight back and (2) there's no guarantee a court challenge would prevail.

      This is all such bullshit.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        sorrykb (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 12:05pm

        Re: Re: Wiping phone

        I'll be traveling internationally next month. I don't plan to wipe my phone or use a disposable phone. (My phone doesn't have anything especially sensitive on it. And I'll be logging out of all apps etc.)

        I also have no plans to surrender my password to CBP. (Easy for me to say now, I know. I hope I'd manage to commit to that when confronted with the possibility of my phone being seized and me being detained for a day or two.)

        But then I have the privilege of knowing that I'm unlikely to be targeted by CBP in the first place, not because of any special virtue I have, but simply because of my name and my appearance. Others aren't so fortunate.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Jordan Chandler, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:18pm

        Green card

        I'm a green card holder (permanent resident), and I am often hassled on my way back into the country but never denied entry.

        I am going to delete the phone when I land and restore it when I get home.

        It's not that I have anything to hide as much as I don't trust them with the data.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:20pm

          Re: Green card

          "This guy wiped his phone. Very suspicious... must be up to something"

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Jordan Chandler, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:24pm

            Re: Re: Green card

            And then what? Hold me indefinitely?

            Also i could set it up as a clean phone. I've used some people's iPhones that look like they could have come directly from the Apple store.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          sorrykb (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:25pm

          Re: Green card

          I suppose the better thing for me to do would be to wipe my phone but still refuse to give the password if asked.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 10:58am

    Obligatory reminder for persons outside the US

    The US strongly discourages legal immigration. If you can't go there illegally, you probably shouldn't go there at all.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:28am

      Re: Obligatory reminder for persons outside the US

      If you can't go there illegally, you probably shouldn't go there at all.

      For safety of travelers I'd recommend removing the qualifier.

      If you're not in the US already, and you don't absolutely have to come here physically, for your own safety and security do not come to the US

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:08pm

      Re: Obligatory reminder for persons outside the US

      "The US strongly discourages legal immigration."

      This is definitely true, because I have a friend who has been getting fucked over by the process for more than 30 years now.

      Conversely.

      "The US strongly encourages illegal immigration."

      The system needs fixing, but the illegals need kicking!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:07am

    Used to live near the border in the North. The rules are so randomly enforced its hard to believe people even have to stop.


    Our towns school regularly went across the border with busloads of kids, all their supplies and mentors/coaches to events in Canada. All we did was make a phone call and the bus and everyone in it was waved thru both on the Canadian side and the US side. The Customs agents were usually very nice and professional, the Border Patrol acted like they were full fledged police protecting the citizens of the US from a full scale invasion.

    Luckily the school had a staff member that was related to one of the customs management and they usually dealt with everything for us. The Border Patrol really do act like they are gods right hand men. I have respect for customs, none for the border patrol.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:51am

      Re:

      How long ago was this? In the 80's, I used to cross the border (both CA and MX) without anything more than a hand wave.

      Now I have to stand in line and figure out what items of clothing/electronics/etc. are required to be in what bag/bin at this border crossing and nervously watch my passport as it leaves my hand and goes who-knows-where before being reluctantly returned to me.

      That said, I agree that customs is rarely a problem; US border patrol is the big man in the show, followed by TSA employees. *Sometimes* the immigration desk can be an issue, but they usually call USBP or TSA to do their dirty work.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 5:34pm

        Re: Re:

        I remember back in 1988 while I coming home from living in Arizona, and passing through Sad Diego so I visited my brother in College at San Diego State back then, and one night we walked over the boarder into Mexico and Walked back out of Mexico that night from Tijuana. I didn't have to stop or show anything either direction.

        It's gotten worse over the years, especially once Passports were required. Still the U.S. has no right to go searching anyone electronic devices. I bet after all these many times, not a single Terrorist anything has ever been found. Really, who would be that dumb? Our rights have been taken away from us year after year and people have kept quite. It's all in the name of Child Protections or Terrorists and BOOM, you lose a few more rights. Until at such time it's something YOU care about and then it's to late.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Seegras (profile), 15 Mar 2017 @ 5:18am

          Re: Re: Re:

          Effectively, the USA is ruled over by terrorists, because the government will promptly oppress its own citizens and make new totalitarian laws every time terrorists launch an attack, or even just utter a threat.

          In contrast, what does it take for citizens to change the law?

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            Bergman (profile), 15 Mar 2017 @ 1:45pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            The United States has five general tiers of laws. Each tier overrides the tier below it if the two conflict, unless a higher tier specifies how the conflict should go.

            A town ordinance is below a state statute, a state statute is below a federal statute, a federal statute is below a state constitution within that state, a state constitution is below the federal constitution.

            If anyone at any level decides the laws don't apply to them, that person is a criminal. If the only reason a federal agency can ignore federal laws is they have the power to squash anyone who complains, then we have might makes right, not the rule of law.

            In a might makes right system, if you can kill someone it's not murder because your might makes you right. If the feds have gone rogue, what reason is there for anyone to obey any law?

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              mhajicek (profile), 15 Mar 2017 @ 2:34pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              Because breaking the law makes you more likely to get stepped on, since you don't have the power (physically, "legally", or financially) to defend yourself against those who would prosecute you or apply extrajudicial punishment.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              k, 16 Mar 2017 @ 4:31am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              You've got that hierarchy wrong. The 4th item should read, a state constitution is below a federal statute.

              From the first paragraph in article 6:

              "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."

              link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Roger Strong (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:22am

    I once had border officers listen to a few seconds of each of my music tapes to make sure I wasn't smuggling in any illegal information.

    Granted, that was when crossing into the Soviet Union. But the American border is starting to look really familiar.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:50am

      Re:

      Wait until the wall along the Mexico border is reorientated to keep US citizens in, and then you will know the dream is dead.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:59am

      Re:

      I didn't think you could detect steganography just by listening to it!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Roger Strong (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 12:25pm

        Re: Re:

        They were looking for subversive recordings.

        Steganography would not have been of any use; no-one of consequence in the Soviet Union in the '80s would have had the equipment to extract data from audio.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:24am

    It's good that they note that this didn't suddenly happen under the Trump administration. He deserves credit for continuing and expanding it, but Americans need to realize the rollback of our rights is not a partisan issue.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:29am

      Re:

      But if we have rights, won't we all be dead from terrorists?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:34am

        Re: Re:

        They hate us for our freedoms. Ergo, the course of action is to eliminate our freedoms. No freedoms = peace and security.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 12:04pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Where's the "sad but I wish there weren't people who effectively believe this to be true" button.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            David, 16 Mar 2017 @ 10:31am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            Your freedom ends where another's nose starts. And frankly, the U.S. agencies' noses are everywhere.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    jack, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:30am

    They can have my cell phone it uses 256-aes encryption with a 4096bit certificate if the password is entered in wrong more than 4 times the phone is wiped clean using DoD 5220.22-M. All you have to do is touch US soil and your out of that grey zone, if your a US Citizen.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:32am

      Re: neat

      >wiped clean using DoD 5220.22-M

      "As of the June 2007 edition of the DSS C&SM, overwriting is no longer acceptable for sanitization of magnetic media; only degaussing or physical destruction is acceptable"

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Eldakka (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 6:47pm

        Re: Re: neat

        "As of the June 2007 edition of the DSS C&SM, overwriting is no longer acceptable for sanitization of magnetic media; only degaussing or physical destruction is acceptable"

        Phones typically don't use magnetic media for internal storage.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Roger Strong (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:47am

      Re:

      All you have to do is touch US soil and your out of that grey zone, if your a US Citizen.

      That's correct. Once you cross the border and touch US soil you're out of the grey zone. It becomes black & white: You must let them search your phone. That's the point of the "Constitution-free zone." Refuse, and you face detainment and violence.

      As for encrypting your phone, Techdirt has reported on one suspected criminal who has now many months in jail for refusing to unlock his phone, based on the suspicion of incriminating evidence on it. And that's without being in a "Constitution-free zone."

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Primo Geek (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 3:00pm

        Re: Re:

        To be clear - you must hand your phone over and they can inspect it. However, if you are an American citizen, you are not required to provide the password. They can hassle you, detain you for a while, intimidate you, and use a forensic phone imaging unit like Cellebrite to try to bypass the lock but they can't force you to turn it over. They also can't "jail" you because that would involve handing you over to federal authorities for not violating a law that doesn't exist. They can just make your life miserable for a while - but it is your choice.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Roger Strong (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 6:49pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          They can get a court order for you to unlock your device. And when you refuse they can find you in contempt and jail you until you fully comply with the order.

          Techdirt: The Fifth Amendment Vs. Indefinite Jailing: Court Still No Closer To Deciding On Compelled Decryption

          Sixteen+ months and counting in jail. And that's without a Constitution-free border zone involved.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 16 Mar 2017 @ 7:55am

          Re: Re: Re:

          They also can't "jail" you because that would involve handing you over to federal authorities for not violating a law that doesn't exist.

          Hey, it's not "jail", it's just indefinite "detention".

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            David, 16 Mar 2017 @ 10:36am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            Which is why you don't require access to an attorney until they are done with you. At some point of time, you'll be yelling for a physician, and you'll get him when he is required for the death certificate.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:50am

      Doesn't matter.

      They bypass all of that and make a copy of the information on the phone itself. Then the copy can be stored until Quantum computers can crack it in moments along with the millions of others that are awaiting the same fate. Don't forget, now all of the federal agencies share data to ensure all crimes can be properly prosecuted. This has been brought to you by Carl's Jr. Don't forget to try the KICKASS FRIES.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 16 Mar 2017 @ 7:51am

      Re:

      All you have to do is touch US soil and your out of that grey zone, if your [sic] a US Citizen.

      Umm, no. You have to make it to at least 100 miles away from any US border. And most of the US population lives within 100 miles of a border.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:44am

    You are being given a demonstration of the reign of terror that the thugs in law enforcement aspires to.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2017 @ 7:01am

      Re:

      Please see the earlier comment marked "Insightful":

      They hate us for our freedoms. Ergo, the course of action is to eliminate our freedoms. No freedoms = peace and security.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ryuugami, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:45am

    Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

    "They said if I need a lawyer, then I must be guilty of something," said Elsharkawi

    Just wanted to point this gem out. Wow. Just... wow.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Roger Strong (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:50am

      Re: Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

      Attorney General Edwin Meese explained why the Supreme Court's Miranda decision (holding that subjects have a right to remain silent and have a lawyer present during questioning) is unnecessary:

      "You don't have many suspects who are innocent of a crime. That's contradictory. If a person is innocent of a crime, then he is not a suspect."

      - U.S. News and World Report, 10/14/85

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 12:09pm

        Re: Re: Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

        A bit like:

        "You don't find that many honest politicians. If they're honest, they're not going to be a politician for long..."

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:20pm

          Re: Re: Re: Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

          Apples and Oranges friend!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            ryuugami, 14 Mar 2017 @ 3:56pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

            What does Trump's iPhone have to do with this? /rimshot

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        That One Guy (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:11pm

        'We in the legal system do not make mistakes. Ever.'

        "You don't have many suspects who are innocent of a crime. That's contradictory. If a person is innocent of a crime, then he is not a suspect."

        Talk about the kind of mindset that ensures a steady stream of incarcerations, and to hell with that whole 'innocent until proven guilty in a court of law' rot.

        "You're under investigation, therefore you're guilty, therefore your rights don't matter, as those are to protect innocent people, and if you were innocent you wouldn't be under investigation, therefore those protections don't apply to you."

        Enough circular reasoning to make anyone dizzy.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 3:18pm

        Re: Re: Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

        You know there should be an official law. Any member of the justice system who says something from that should be fired and barred from working as so much as a janitor in the local police station. That shit is just not acceptable.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Roger Strong (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 7:09pm

          Re: Re: Re: Only criminals invoke their rights, eh?

          Really? Have you seen the crap that other Attorney Generals like John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales pulled on the torture / domestic spying / corruption front? Think Jeff Sessions will be any better?

          Republicans won't appoint an Attorney General unless he actually wipes his ass with the Constitution.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    TheResidentSkeptic (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:45am

    Even though I am a US Citizen

    I was Born and Raised here to US Citizens. My father fought in WWII, Korea, and China.

    I still travel with a burner phone and laptop. I will NOT risk my real phone or computer at any border. All my files are on MY server running in MY home. Nothing in the cloud. I carry a secure USB stick with the Bill of Rights and Constitution as the only files on it. Just to piss 'em off when they ask for it to be unlocked.

    And here I thought American Servicemen fought against "Papers Please" countries. Now we are one.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:13pm

      Re: Even though I am a US Citizen

      I carry a secure USB stick with the Bill of Rights and Constitution as the only files on it.

      Careful there, you might end up being charged for threatening the welfare of official US agents carrying subversive and confrontational documents like that.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:21pm

        Re: Re: Even though I am a US Citizen

        Naw... only if he carries a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 11:49am

    After having created a military complex that was so powerful and unstoppable, and having defeated just about every conceivable (and unconceivable) foreign power, it became clear that the only challenge for this once great country was trying to self-destruct... And at that, too, it succeeded.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 12:25pm

    On my next trip, I'm going to travel with a usb stick encrypted with Veracrypt and protected with a trivial password. Maybe it'll take a week to crack. On that stick will be a text file which reads: "Fuck you, CBP". My phone will also be encrypted with an impossible password, mailed to a friend, for pickup when arriving home in the U.S. I have no family and I'm independently wealthy. I'll make it my mission in life to fuck with the authorities. If they grab me at the border, watch for me.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      sorrykb (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:22pm

      Re:

      I have no family and I'm independently wealthy. I'll make it my mission in life to fuck with the authorities. If they grab me at the border, watch for me.

      If you're independently wealthy and would like to help other people who aren't, you could file suit (but while at the border/around CBP, act in a way that makes your suit more likely to succeed).

      Or you could just fuck with the authorities. But that doesn't help anyone else who isn't wealthy, who might be subject to violence based on their background, who has family, or who is otherwise vulnerable.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 12:46pm

    the land of confusion...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Chris ODonnell (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 1:54pm

    How long until we find somebody with a stack of fed ex envelopes hanging around the International terminals, Fed-Exing phones to the US for people that are stepping onto a plane to come here.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:50pm

      Re:

      But will they be routed through Langley?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Eldakka (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 6:58pm

        Re: Re:

        No, because FedEx supplies on-site facilities for the CIA, NSA and FBI to inspect (tamper with) packages, therefore they never have to get near Langley.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:07pm

    regardless of which government is in control, the USA wants to know everything about everyone, including it's own citizens, even when on USA soil, as long as no one can find out anything about it or the members or anyone to do with any of the security services! the really worrying thing is that the USA thinks it has the right to carry out the same searches in every other country worldwide, but also has the right to deny any other country the same right of access to USA citizens data. in other words, it still thinks it's the no 1 in the world with the right to fuck who it wants at any time for any reason but no one else has any rights at all! the old bully boy attitude not only still there but even larger since Trump took over!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:13pm

    How long until

    How long until some activists start putting a USB killer inside their "phones" and incapacitating the data readers CBP uses? It doesn't seem hard to change the electronics to fry their reader after a few seconds, and the device is only about $50.

    Destroy all their data readers as a form of civil protest.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 2:34pm

      Re: How long until

      Destroy all their data readers as a form of civil protest.

      But first put up a plausible refusal to let them read the device at all. Surrender it before they get too serious, but give them the chance (if they were wise enough to take it) not to plug in the circuit killer. "I don't consent to this search. I disagree with your decision to read it, but will not interfere if you attempt to read it without consent."

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 3:23pm

      Re: How long until

      Hmm I wonder if it would be technically legal to create complete schmuck-bait. Openly admit to them that it isn't a real phone - just a USB fryer disguised as one. They'll take it as sarcasm and those devices aren't technically illegal and you did warn them exactly what it would do.

      I'll take "How to get Border Agents fired" for 300 Alex. Probably wishful thinking though sadly.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 4:24pm

        Re: Re: How long until

        "I'm telling you you don't really want to look at what's on this phone!"

        "Really? I'll be the judge of that!"

        "I'm warning you right now, that phone has dangerous stuff on it!"

        "Give me that phone! Here, let me plug it in right here...what's that clicking...OH, SH..........!!!!!"

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 7:53pm

      Re: How long until

      >Hiding things inside electronics

      Sounds like a good way to ensure a cavity search.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Vincent Clement, 14 Mar 2017 @ 3:34pm

    Haystack Battle

    I thought the NSA already has all this data. Is CBP building another haystack?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Uriel-238 (profile), 14 Mar 2017 @ 5:10pm

    It's about time that we start using phones with plausible deniability.

    Phones with encryption that looks like junk data in unused sectors.

    Of course, then they'll just have to detain anyone and everyone who happens to just have a clean phone.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Mar 2017 @ 5:19pm

    >Openly admit to them that it isn't a real phone - just a USB fryer disguised as one.

    No need to be quite so blatant.

    "It's not a phone, it's a _spare battery_.

    "No, I can't turn it on. I can only connect it to a _compatible device_ via a custom USB port.

    "No, I do not consent to your downloading files from it without a warrant.

    "I cannot guarantee that a non-compatible device can read ROM or Flash devices on it. If you don't have a Multics-compatible file system, I believe that you will not be able to access any files stored on this device.

    (There's a hidden compartment inside, containing a micro-SSD card. The battery is wired to release the magic smoke from a standard USB port.)

    Afterwards:

    "DUH! It's a BATTERY. Do you people not have batteries here? It was a battery before, like I said before; it's still a battery. It can't stop being a battery.

    "It contains ENERGY in the form of ELECTRICITY. Does you people not know what ELECTRIC means? It spills down wires....

    "Oh, what's the use? Look, just pay me for my battery and we can all go about our business....do you have a business or do you just stand around looking for lamp sockets to stick your tongue in?

    "Mutter, mutter ... bringing in illiterate islamic peasants would raise the average IQ of this place...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Châu, 15 Mar 2017 @ 2:47am

    Have other countries do this?

    Any person have this problem when travel to other countries (not US)? I never have problem or see this problem with international travel but I never go to US.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2017 @ 3:48am

    Freedoms lost are seldom recovered

    How long has this been building now? How many stories do we need before we get the message? They chip away at our rights slowly and we all get mouthy in some comment section but never angry enough to take action - that's for someone else to do, right?

    You want change? Speak the only language they understand: money. Boycott travel, our own self-imposed travel ban. Not for work, not vacation, nada... Grind them to an economic halt and make sure they know why. Some will be fired or have to vacation locally but those are small prices to pay if we get back a single freedom peacefully. I haven't flown since the TSA became a thing because I fucking refuse to voluntarily give up my dignity as a human.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    David, 15 Mar 2017 @ 5:18am

    You need to see the good side of it:

    Americans' freedoms may be tampered with 20 times more often than in 2015 now, but on the flip phone side this makes it 20 times less likely to die a violent death in the U.S.

    I'm actually not sure that those device searches aren't actually saving lives because of people increasingly choosing to leave all their devices with incendiary Lithium ion accumulators at home rather than let them get strip-searched at the border.

    These days they are more likely than terrorists to bring down a plane.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rekrul, 15 Mar 2017 @ 5:59am

    Covertly snort some pepper before handing over your phone and then 'accidentally' sneeze on it. Or rub it with poison ivy and store it in one of those foil bags that they use for electronics. When they ask why it's in a bag, tell it's to stop hackers.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Châu, 15 Mar 2017 @ 7:44pm

    Help illegal entry?

    Illegal immigrants not have this problem! May be US government want people avoid border cheek points.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    mhajicek (profile), 15 Mar 2017 @ 9:51pm

    Cheek points? Is that where you drop trou and bend over for your cavity search?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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