Our Brave New World just got a little braver. Customs and border protection agents have been searching the computers of people as they return to the U.S. from overseas. During one such incident, an individual was forced to give them access to confidential company data for his IT firm. This is frighteningly not unique, and some travelers have had their electronic devices confiscated and never returned. Some argue that searching the hard drive of a lap top is no different than searching through a suitcase, while others claim that it is more akin to a search of one’s home. In order to conduct such a search, the police need to have probable cause that you’ve committed a crime.

Customs and border protection agents bear no such burden when it comes to conducting searches of your personal computer. They have “broad search authority at the borders to determine admissibility…or look for anything that may be a violation of criminal law.” Some civil liberties groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, are suing for answers. They want to know what’s done with the information once it’s confiscated and to put procedures in place that afford people the ability to petition for the return of their devices. Until then, you may want to leave the laptop at home. Source: CNN

- Michele White