“We think people should know that they basically are leaving their right to privacy at the door when they cross the U.S. border. There is no assumption of privacy [at a port of entry].
said Gurley.
“This is by far not an epidemic of any sort,” Gurley said. “But we think people should know that they basically are leaving their right to privacy at the door when they cross the U.S. border. There is no assumption of privacy,” at a port of entry, she said. Here are five factors Gurley says travelers should know about:
1. No evidence needed to take your laptop
Border agents do not need any evidence or suspicion of illegal activity to examine a laptop or other electronic device.
Every time you cross the border, customs officials have the right to look at anything in your possession, including the content on your laptop, handheld device, cell phone, USB memory stick and digital cameras, Gurley said. They have the right to both view that information and to download or mirror it if they think it’s necessary, she said.
2. Anything can be searched
Everything on an electronic device is open to search. This includes personal photographs, personal banking, any business documents and stored or unopened e-mail, Gurley said.
3. Your PC might not be returned right away
Seized devices may be kept for an indefinite period of time. Carry only a laptop or electronic device you can afford to lose or hand over for an unspecified period of time.
