[IP] more on search experience on "border"
Begin forwarded message:
From: Joseph Lorenzo Hall <joehall@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: July 31, 2006 11:13:20 AM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Travis Kalanick <travis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] search experience on "border"
Reply-To: joehall@xxxxxxxxx
I wonder why they're not searching iPods (i.e., other hard-drive based
devices)... or even other ways of storing media (DVDs, CDs, flash
drives, etc.). Sounds like they're more interested in the reaction
that you make to the search. If you consent, you're free to go... if
not, you're searched. -Joe
On 7/31/06, David Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Begin forwarded message:
From: Travis Kalanick <travis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: July 31, 2006 7:57:12 AM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: My search experience on "border"
For IP:
I flew into SFO (San Francisco) from Asia in May 2006.
I went straight to the customs agent as I had no luggage.
The agent asked to go through my only bag.
I gave him my bag.
The agent took out my laptop and turned it on.
He then asked for my password
I asked him why he needed my password
He said that he wanted to verify that I had no illegal content on my
hard drive
I politely asked him whether this was a request I could refuse or if
he would actually compel me to provide my password
He responded by saying that he would seize my laptop and send to a
lab for analysis if I did not comply.
I provided my biometric password (scanned my index finger) so that he
could gain access to my computer as I surmised that more of my
privacy *privileges* would be abused if I let them have my laptop for
a few days, then if I complied with their request.
Aside from the fact that some US security officer was searching
essentially all of my work and personal files without any cause
probable or otherwise, I was concerned how he might misinterpret
several pictures I had taken of the process of creating a cross-
connect cable with an Ethernet cord. Anybody familiar with the
technique knows there would be a few wiring photos that you might
expect someone to ask about if charged with National Security
He then spent approximately 10 minutes operating my laptop
While operating my laptop he said that we was tasked with preventing
illegal pornographic material from entering the United States
I could not see the screen, and he would not tell me specifically
what he was doing on my laptop
He did not ask about any of the wiring photos
He returned my laptop after this warrantless search saying I was free
to go
Travis Kalanick
Red Swoosh, Inc.
Founder, CEO
Blog – http://blog.redswoosh.net
AIM: ScourTrav123
High quality video without bandwidth costs!
www.redswoosh.net
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--
Joseph Lorenzo Hall
PhD Student, UC Berkeley, School of Information
<http://josephhall.org/>
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