Brenda Stardom [ What? Laptops, iPods, Cellphones Can Be Taken Indefinitely ]

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1-8-2008 - What? Laptops, iPods, Cellphones Can Be Taken Indefinitely

What is right. What is up with the Department of Homeland Security's announcement that anyone coming into the US, even US citizens, without suspicion, can have these things taken for an undetermined amount of time? I was a bit freaked at the headlines about this as I'm going to fly soon, but thankfully I'm not coming to America. I couldn't imagine having my personal things taken, out of my sight, and have them searched and scoured by the feds. I know myself, I'd protest so hard I'd be locked up and I have nothing to hide.

The Washington Post broke this story and it's already being madly discussed at Slashdot. Since it's so new, I expect to find it on blogs and other sites. So far, it isn't that big. What gets me is this is happening at the height of summer vacations when there are more people traveling than ever. Many people have sensitive personal information on their laptops. Businessmen have private company information that shouldn't be in the hands of the DHS. Stuff industrial spies would kill to have.

Even more shocking is the fact the contents can be shared "with other agencies and private entities". What are they looking for? Good old DHS says it's to prevent terrorism. Give me a break. Guess what? It's not just laptops, iPods and Cellphones. Anything capable of information storage, such as hard drives, pagers, flash drives, beepers (people still use beepers?) and get this, both audio and video tapes. It gets better (sarcasm) -- books, papers, and pamphlets and "pocket trash" which could possibly include letters, notes, or anything really.

Wouldn't that mean they'd have to do a thorough search on each person they suspect and without reason? That's the part that gets me. I swear, I'm not going to leave and come back to the US ever again. Imagine how long the lines will be as these wanks begin confiscating these things. What could be on a beeper? It makes no sense. It's being fought, and that's no surprise, but that will take time. In the meantime, anyone is fair game.

This is a disgusting violation of the 4th amendment. If I were coming into the country, I would take out the hard drive and mail it to myself. I hope others would do the same.

I hope this raises a big enough stink to become an election issue. The DHS needs to be reigned in something fierce.
--Slashdot comment

Brenda Stardom
Columbia City - 10:06 a.m.