mike
Well how else would you propose that we catch and punish thought-criminals?
Duh.
I wonder what the rationale would be to differentiate warrantless laptop searches at the border from warrantless examination of content/communication going through data lines that cross the border?
[quote]nephorm wrote:
I wonder what the rationale would be to differentiate warrantless laptop searches at the border from warrantless examination of content/communication going through data lines that cross the border?[/quote]
That one would think that it needs to be differentiated is scary. Obviously, both practices are wrong.
Why don’t we all just submit to being strip searched at every entry point into the US? Only guilty people have something to hide.
[quote]nephorm wrote:
I wonder what the rationale would be to differentiate warrantless laptop searches at the border from warrantless examination of content/communication going through data lines that cross the border?[/quote]
This question has been popping up in quite a few blogs/forums lately.
Furthermore, what if major carriers were induced to route communications within the US through a node or peerage point in Canada? Would then all communications be subject to surveillance?
would you have any legal options of your laptop were seized and it was used primarily for work?
I have all my web design, pay-per-click management software, client account information, etc stored on my laptop. If it was taken my business would effectively be shutdown.
Would I be able to take the government to court over loss of wages or anything like that? Or have we hit a draconian wall here?
[quote]Ren wrote:
would you have any legal options of your laptop were seized and it was used primarily for work?
I have all my web design, pay-per-click management software, client account information, etc stored on my laptop. If it was taken my business would effectively be shutdown.
Would I be able to take the government to court over loss of wages or anything like that? Or have we hit a draconian wall here?[/quote]
I would have to say that making backups would be a good call. The general consensus around the web-locations I frequent is pretty much to save all the info you need when traveling, then buy a cheap throwaway laptop and download all your info securely when you get to your destination. Does this apply when leaving the US as well, or do they only usually stop you on your way in?
[quote]LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
That one would think that it needs to be differentiated is scary. Obviously, both practices are wrong.
[/quote]
I’m not a fan. But there must either be a legal distinction, in which case we ought to know what that is, since it pertains to our 4th amendment rights, or there is no legal distinction, in which case the overseas wiretapping issue will have to be re-revisited.
[quote]Ren wrote:
would you have any legal options of your laptop were seized and it was used primarily for work?
I have all my web design, pay-per-click management software, client account information, etc stored on my laptop. If it was taken my business would effectively be shutdown.
Would I be able to take the government to court over loss of wages or anything like that? Or have we hit a draconian wall here?[/quote]
This will go to the Supreme Court, and I do not see it surviving legal challenge. (BB?)
If your worried, make sure everything you have on your laptop is regularly backed up. It might be a good idea to even have a hard drive image stored somewhere, and updated data files also stored.
The image could be done yearly, (or more often,) and the data could be done automatically every day.
I say carry a backup laptop with you everywhere you go, and have all the files named “Bomb Specs” “Building Plans” and “Firebombing 101” but every file is Goatse or Tubgirl or something.
[quote]MrRezister wrote:
I say carry a backup laptop with you everywhere you go, and have all the files named “Bomb Specs” “Building Plans” and “Firebombing 101” but every file is Goatse or Tubgirl or something.[/quote]
I love it!
[quote]The Mage wrote:
Ren wrote:
would you have any legal options of your laptop were seized and it was used primarily for work?
I have all my web design, pay-per-click management software, client account information, etc stored on my laptop. If it was taken my business would effectively be shutdown.
Would I be able to take the government to court over loss of wages or anything like that? Or have we hit a draconian wall here?
This will go to the Supreme Court, and I do not see it surviving legal challenge. (BB?)
If your worried, make sure everything you have on your laptop is regularly backed up. It might be a good idea to even have a hard drive image stored somewhere, and updated data files also stored.
The image could be done yearly, (or more often,) and the data could be done automatically every day.[/quote]
believe me, if I travel for any extended period of time (I’d hate to take my laptop as it is my livelihood), I am backing up everything under the sun. Both to remote site and an external HD, I’ll prolly make an image or 2 as well.
I would second what Mage and Ren said, and add that you are serious about privacy, you would be best off not saving anything to your travel laptop at all.
If you’re at home, save everything to an external hard drive (or two, if you can afford it). On the road, save everything to a secure encrypted FTP site.
When you cross borders, never have anything on your laptop but your iTunes playlists.
Minus any songs by Ofra Haza or Yael Naim in Arabic, of course. 