U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are demanding access to travelers’ phones at border crossings. Privacy advocates are concerned because it’s a huge violation of privacy of the individual and their contacts. Proponents of the policy say law-abiding citizens have nothing to worry about, it’s designed to keep everyone safe. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
Privacy advocates say searching phones and social media accounts is a huge government overreach. Normally law enforcement officials would have to go to the courts before getting access to private information. There should be no difference at the borders.
“With those passwords, CBP may then be able to log in to accounts and access data that they would otherwise only be able to get from Internet companies with a warrant. Circumventing the normal protections for such private information is simply unacceptable,” Wyden wrote in his letter Monday.
Border agents can quickly identify if someone is a threat or not with the information available on a phone. The courts have previously upheld that border agents can inspect electronics if they have reasonable suspicion. Border agents need all the information possible to do their job.
Under the existing vetting process, according to Kelly, officials “don’t have a lot to work with,” relying on the applicant’s documentation and asking them questions about their background.He said this was even more problematic when dealing with so-called “failed states” such as Syria or Somalia, where infrastructure and record-keeping has been degraded by conflict.”When someone says, ‘I’m from this town and this was my occupation,’ [officials] essentially have to take the word of the individual,” he said. “I frankly don’t think that’s enough, certainly President Trump doesn’t think that’s enough. So we’ve got to maybe add some additional layers.” MORE: DHS: US visitors may have to hand over social media passwords
If you have nothing to hide, why deny border services acess to your computer or phone
— goodvibes&smokeyeyes (@rideordiexo) December 4, 2013
@globalnews @GlobalBC Fine by me. Whatever it takes to keep your country safe. Check all you like.
— Conni Christensen (@eyemabee) January 21, 2017
@CNN they can search my phone ALL DAY LONG if it means protecting this great nation, enjoy my silly messages, photos and memes!
— Kristi Agnes (@kristiagnes) February 19, 2017
These are your rights (w/ a few recommendations) if border agents want to search your phonehttps://t.co/MzsgSrUnyW pic.twitter.com/u90yoiC5UW
— ProPublica (@ProPublica) February 15, 2017
This is outrageous. https://t.co/HICy68eDs2
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 13, 2017
@ProPublica @TrumpNoise Land of the free? If we stay silent abt the erroding of our freedoms, is it still the home of the brave?
— Natty J. Puffington (@NattyJPuffinton) February 16, 2017
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