Laptops Can Be Searched At the Border 821
Nothing to Declare notes that a California appeals court has unanimously upheld a ruling that border security officers at international airports can search personal computers without requiring any specific evidence of criminal activity. The appeal was made by US resident Michael Timothy Arnold, charged with child pornography offenses after an airport search of his notebook PC in 2005. Might want to think hard about what's on your laptop if you're going to be passing through a US international airport.
Re:I remember this happening to me. (Score:4, Funny)
You sir, are made of fail.
Re:I Wonder (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Cmon people (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
Odd operating systems like AROS or text only interfaces may also do well. You just can't fail the nerdity test then!
Free to look--but what if your system is locked? (Score:3, Funny)
If your laptop asks for a password at startup, can they legally compel you to provide it? If the court likened the laptop to luggage, I'd guess the answer is yes.
Are there any whole-disk deniable crypto systems available?
Enter password #1: Machine boots in to Windows XP Pro, stocked with a legal copy of Office and the Zune Desktop. Why, no one so boring could be bad!
Enter password #2: Machine boots in to your real system, full of suspicious looking MP3s. Also, your Firefox homepage is set to Craigslist Casual Encounters W4M.
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
The Supreme Court doesn't set presidents, they set precedents.
Oh, wait...
Re:Time to think (Score:3, Funny)
When you Cry think of the children. An other right is taken away.
The files are in the computer (Score:3, Funny)
Me too (Score:1, Funny)
/dev/urandom - a story (Score:3, Funny)
Inspector Jimbob: Hey Joe, this guy has a Linux box, how do I read the files?
Inspector Joebob: Just click on the picture of a seashell and type "cat" and the name of the file.
(several minutes later)
Inspector Jimbob: I think we have a kiddie pevert here, I found a file that looks all encrypted.
Inspector Joebob: What file is it?
Inspector Jimbob: I did "cd
[end]
Re:Be Prepared (Score:2, Funny)
beware of music with no proof of legally purchased..
beware of video with no proof of legally purchased..
beware of laptop with no proof of legally purchased..
beware of iphone with no proof of legally purchased..
beware of ipod with no proof of legally purchased..
beware of cowboy neal asking for proof of legally........
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
Judging from his poll numbers, it is safe to say that GWB has. The truthiness of this is beyond doubtability.
Re:4th Amendment... (Score:5, Funny)
Are you saying you were flying along and accidentally encountered the US border?
Finally Vista has a decent use! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Time to think (Score:5, Funny)
When you cry, "think of the children," another right is taken away.
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
As it happens, many customs agents know their own magic commands to boot the system.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to boot this computer."
Saying "No" isn't the most helpful answer to that request.
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
Re:4th Amendment... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I Wonder (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I Wonder (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Time to Roll Out The Crypto (Score:5, Funny)
nerd: (waving hand) These aren't the files that you are looking for...
TSA: These aren't the files we are looking for.
nerd: He can go about his business...
TSA: You can go about your business.
nerd: Move along...
TSA: Move along, move along please.
companion of nerd: I thought we'd never get past those guards!
nerd: The force can have a powerful influence upon the weak minded...
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
It seems your 'R' key is a little wonky, though you managed to type 'for' correctly.
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
Uhhhh, I know you're kidding, but may I remind you that some (most?) TSA thugs are so dense that they couldn't figure out what a MacBook Air was? I'll bet you a beer that the situation turns out something like this:
$RANDOM_GEEK: Here you go, officer.
(Laptop boots with Korean-language GRUB bootloader)
TSA Guy: Whut the f**k is this? That some sorta Muslamian language? ARE YOU A TERRORIST, BOY?
$RANDOM_GEEK: No, it's just...
*brrrrrzap*
$RANDOM_GEEK: Don't tase me, bro!
TSA Guy: BACKUP! I NEED BACKUP!
Re:I Wonder (Score:1, Funny)
Re:I Wonder (Score:1, Funny)
If those searching the laptop play a song, that's copyright infringement if they haven't been licensed to hear it.
Re:I Wonder (Score:5, Funny)
If you're defending Bush at this stage of the game, you're a fucking wack job
Re:Time to Roll Out The Crypto (Score:2, Funny)
TSA: Dude, he was quoting Star Wars, and with a straight face! Obviously harmless.
Re:I Wonder (Score:3, Funny)
http://www.thecleverest.com/countdown.swf [thecleverest.com]
Re:I Wonder (Score:3, Funny)
Oh I beg to differ. I have several bombs on my hard drive.
Mamma's boy
Stargate the Ark of the Truth
Old School
Date Movie
Starship Troopers
I can go on and on... for some reason I have an affinity for really bad movies.
Now I will probably get the death penalty and die by firing squad outside the customs office because I have Ripped movies on my hard drive.
Re:I Wonder (Score:3, Funny)
That's nowhere near secure enough. I'm using ROT52.