Quote:
Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06
You guys do realize that this applies to anybody crossing the border? American citizens who are "already legally in the country" are subject to search too.
What kind of dangerous substances are you going to get from an electronic file off a cell phone or laptop? The only thing I can think of is finding child porn. You can't traffic drugs or weapons on a hard drive. If that's your reasoning, I assume you'd be a-okay with whimsical strip and cavity searches because there's actually a chance you'll find some dangerous substances there.
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I could think of say plots to blow things up, instructions for one criminal organization to another. (i.e Hell's Angels cross-border), and of course child-porn. All of which I would consider dangerous. And if you're already an American citizen, you are supposed to be aware of your country's laws. If you choose to ignore the fact that your country has the right to search your laptop and keep sensitive materials on it when crossing borders, that is your judgment call. You could very easily back up your sensitive materials to offline storage and restore it once you have finished travelling.
There has to be a line drawn on both privacy rights and the governments ability to invade privacy. Frankly, I'm pretty okay with where the line is drawn here. The only situations that cause me concerns are the confidential media source and solicitor-client materials. Both situations are highly politically charged and I believe that intenational law does respect solicitor client privilege as a fundamental legal right. Maybe us lawyers and journalists have to pull out the old cold war spycraft and start using microdots....