more on search experience on "border"

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Joseph Lorenzo Hall <joehall () gmail com>
Date: July 31, 2006 11:13:20 AM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: Travis Kalanick <travis () redswoosh net>
Subject: Re: [IP] search experience on "border"
Reply-To: joehall () pobox com

I wonder why they're not searching iPods (i.e., other hard-drive based
devices)... or even other ways of storing media (DVDs, CDs, flash
drives, etc.).  Sounds like they're more interested in the reaction
that you make to the search.  If you consent, you're free to go... if
not, you're searched. -Joe

On 7/31/06, David Farber <dave () farber net> wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
>
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--
Joseph Lorenzo Hall
PhD Student, UC Berkeley, School of Information
<http://josephhall.org/>


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