According to Yahoo Tech, border guards can search your computer files when you enter the United States.
Following in the wake of February's news that customs agents were seizing electronics and making copies of all the files on cell phones and laptop hard drives, a federal appeals court has ruled on the legality of such searches. The result: Yeah, customs can do whatever it wants to your computer when you come across the border, without a warrant, and without cause.The ruling extends to all electronics: In addition to laptops, feds can seize phone records and even digital pictures on your camera as they hunt for evidence. The ruling was unanimous among the three appellate judges.
What does this mean for you? I have a real problem with this kind of action but I also believe that a country has the right to do what it wants to those who wish to enter it. It may not seem like the best solution for travelers but, hey, what are we going to do?
Technorati Tags: border, united states, computer, files, search
Shane Birley is a blogger, huge geeky nerd, web developer, poet, and creative writer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.