TSA “approved” bags are nice, but here’s why I’m sticking with my old carry-on
TSA-approved security checkpoint bags are finally shipping. I’ve had a chance to check out two of them; the Targus Zip-Thru Corporate bag, and the Skooba Checkthrough bag. Briefly, I like the Targus bag a bit better than the Skooba bag, but neither would move me to stop using my Skooba MegaMedia Bag.
Does The Travelers’ Privacy Protection Act adequately safeguard us?
You’ve probably heard about the Travelers’ Privacy Protection Act of 2008, a proposed new law that would prevent customs agents from confiscating your laptop computer at the border. But what does the law actually say? Ned Levi takes a look at the law and makes some troubling discoveries.
New Senate bill would ban laptop search and seizure
Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., has introduced legislation forbidding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from searches of travelers’ computer hard drives without reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing. Tripso has reported on heavy-handed DHS searches and confiscation. It is nice to see that someone in the Senate is paying attention this unfettered federal intrusion into our freedom.
Why the DHS laptop seizure policy doesn’t worry me
For the last week or so, I’ve been bombarded with complaints about how many travelers believe that now they will be a target of the (say it with me now in a menacing voice) the evil Bush administration and have their electronic gadgets seized while they return from a trip abroad. Balderdash!
Laptops and PDAs may be detained at the border
Since publishing first piece about the government’s right to confiscate laptops, PDAs and other electronic devices, the secretary of Homeland Security, released an opinion piece alerting US travelers that laptops and PDAs are legitimate targets of searches without probably cause. Passengers traveling internationally should prepare for the possibility that laptops may be confiscated.
Warning: US Customs and Border Protection may confiscate your laptop and PDA
The Fourth Amendment may prohibit “unreasonable searches and seizures” and require “probable cause.” But not at the border. Here’s how to prevent your data from being compromised by a government search.