search experience on "border"

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Travis Kalanick <travis () redswoosh net>
Date: July 31, 2006 7:57:12 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: My search experience on "border"

For IP:



I flew into SFO (San Francisco) from Asia in May 2006.

I went straight to the customs agent as I had no luggage.

The agent asked to go through my only bag.

I gave him my bag.

The agent took out my laptop and turned it on.

He then asked for my password

I asked him why he needed my password

He said that he wanted to verify that I had no illegal content on my  
hard drive

I politely asked him whether this was a request I could refuse or if  
he would actually compel me to provide my password

He responded by saying that he would seize my laptop and send to a  
lab for analysis if I did not comply.

I provided my biometric password (scanned my index finger) so that he  
could gain access to my computer as I surmised that more of my  
privacy *privileges* would be abused if I let them have my laptop for  
a few days, then if I complied with their request.

Aside from the fact that some US security officer was searching  
essentially all of my work and personal files without any cause  
probable or otherwise, I was concerned how he might misinterpret  
several pictures I had taken of the process of creating a cross- 
connect cable with an Ethernet cord.  Anybody familiar with the  
technique knows there would be a few wiring photos that you might  
expect someone to ask about if charged with National Security

He then spent approximately 10 minutes operating my laptop

While operating my laptop he said that we was tasked with preventing  
illegal pornographic material from entering the United States

I could not see the screen, and he would not tell me specifically  
what he was doing on my laptop

He did not ask about any of the wiring photos

He returned my laptop after this warrantless search saying I was free  
to go







Travis Kalanick
Red Swoosh, Inc.
Founder, CEO
Blog – http://blog.redswoosh.net
AIM: ScourTrav123

High quality video without bandwidth costs!

www.redswoosh.net




-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/