An Appeals Court panel has ruled that federal agents can legally search through travelers’ cell phones without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a warrant when they cross an international border.
An Appeals Court panel has ruled that federal agents can legally search through travelers’ cell phones without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a warrant when they cross an international border.
This is disappointing, but not surprising in the slightest. However, this could be far more concerning than “mere” privacy violations. This lays groundwork for the ability of the US government to restrict flow of information physically stored on electronic devices into the territory they occupy. Though logistically complicated, I would certainly not put it past a fascist regime to implement such a policy and it would be disconcertingly easy to hide such a policy.
I’m sure any minute now we’re gonna get a “Great American Firewall of Freedom (called the GAFF Act)” and he’s gonna claim to get Xi to pay for it. 🙄