Laptops, Cell Phones Fair Game in Customs Search

International travelers returning to the United States wouldn’t be surprised if customs agents wanted to check their suitcase. What they may not realize is their cell phone, PDA and laptop are also searchable without suspicion.

The policy by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was made public in the waning days of the Bush administration and last month was endorsed and clarified by the Obama administration.

Under the policy, customs agents may impound a laptop and even copy its hard drive.

Civil libertarians say the policy violates the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search.

“I don’t carry my laptop overseas anymore,” said Sacramento attorney Mark Reichel. “The fat lady has sung for the fourth amendment.”

Reichel said one client who carries sensitive business information on his laptop on international trips sends the hard drive home separately by express mail.

The DHS justified the search of electronic devices in what is called Privacy Impact Statement published Aug. 25.

“The use of electronic devices capable of storing information relating to criminal activities has been established as the latest method for smuggling (contraband),” an overview declares.

Source

NY Police Eye Disrupting Cell Phones in Terrorist Threat

The New York Police Department is looking for new methods to disrupt cell phone calls and other forms of electronic communication among potential terrorists — part of what the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies say are the “lessons learned” after the deadly November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly told federal anti-terror officials that the NYPD must have the ability to disrupt cell phone calls in the event of another planned attack on New York City.

Fox News reports that a draft copy of Kelly’s statement to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security says the NYPD believes the Mumbai attacks could be a model for other low-tech attacks. It was not clear whether the NYPD has the means to disrupt electronic communications for a small group of terrorists without shutting down cell phone service to a large part of New York City.

Kelly said that in the India attacks, the terrorists had handlers who used cell phones and other portable communication devices to order the killing of hostages and adjust tactics during the siege of Mumbai.

The 10 attackers, who Indian authorities say came from Pakistan, fanned out to locations such as hotels and buildings, taking and executing hostages and holding off Indian security forces for several days. The attacks left more than 170 people dead and some 300 wounded.

via Source – msnbc.com.