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Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

nytimes.com

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Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#81

Post by branchless »

makecheck wrote: post #51
jliptzin wrote: post #21

Don't be fooled, Canadian border patrol proudly engages in this as well. I was recently driving across the border to Montreal on vacation when Canadian border agents, in addition to searching my car and personal belongings, demanded to see my cell phone and turn over the password. I simply asked why, since I didn't think I was doing anything suspicious, at which point the agent angrily responded "because I can and no…

I’ve always found it ridiculous that the content of devices is fair game. There is literally nothing on a phone that couldn’t be digitally downloaded after crossing the border (therefore no “threat” by bringing the phone with you). Similarly, there is no possible way to harm an airplane based on what is present on a laptop; and even if there were, you could buy in-flight WiFi and download the bits after boarding. You…

Someone should mod android so when you enter a second password it wipes everything but gives the appearance of a regular login.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#82

Post by tacoman »

chinathrow wrote: post #31
jliptzin wrote: post #21

Don't be fooled, Canadian border patrol proudly engages in this as well. I was recently driving across the border to Montreal on vacation when Canadian border agents, in addition to searching my car and personal belongings, demanded to see my cell phone and turn over the password. I simply asked why, since I didn't think I was doing anything suspicious, at which point the agent angrily responded "because I can and no…

Some risk averse people are following one rule: Do not carry any electronics at any border crossing. It's a hostile territory.

To me, that just makes you more suspicious. Last time I had to cross borders CAN/USA/MEX, I just popped my SIM in an old Blackberry Q10 and connected it to a lightly-used email account. Made a few calls and texts in the days leading up to trip.

I reasoned that an old Blackberry is good because there really isn't much you can do with it beyond text/email/web. And it makes me look like a tech-illiterate luddite.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#83

Post by kilroy123 »

lordnacho wrote: post #75
jliptzin wrote: post #21

Don't be fooled, Canadian border patrol proudly engages in this as well. I was recently driving across the border to Montreal on vacation when Canadian border agents, in addition to searching my car and personal belongings, demanded to see my cell phone and turn over the password. I simply asked why, since I didn't think I was doing anything suspicious, at which point the agent angrily responded "because I can and no…

Someone's probably already thought of this: Make a second password which "unlocks" the phone to some innocuous mode that won't hold the meatheads attention any longer. Assuming you aren't specifically targeted.

Like with TrueCrypt?

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#84

Post by ryanobjc »

colmvp wrote: post #42

I tried arguing this persons privacy yet I got highly downvoted on /r/canada, for points that I felt I couldn't refute, specifically that crossing a nations border is not a right but a privilege, and that most Western nations have similar POVs when it comes to the right for border officers to inspect laptops/phones. I know that the ACLU and EFF have fought to defend Americans from having their laptops/phones inspecte…

Canadians don't believe in absolute free speech or privacy.

In legal situations, this pops up: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace,_order,_and_good_governm...

Don't forget Canada is very homogeneous and they are just as likely to fall victim to "other-ing" and fear mongering.

If you are fitting in, you're ok in Canada. If you arent, well no end of troubles awaits you. Just ask all the queer bookstores that had their shipments endlessly fucked with by the border/customs agents.

Canada isn't quite a liberal nirvana, they just happen to have less crime and single payer healthcare.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#85

Post by michaelcampbell »

jliptzin wrote: post #21

Don't be fooled, Canadian border patrol proudly engages in this as well. I was recently driving across the border to Montreal on vacation when Canadian border agents, in addition to searching my car and personal belongings, demanded to see my cell phone and turn over the password. I simply asked why, since I didn't think I was doing anything suspicious, at which point the agent angrily responded "because I can and no…

I've mused to myself about factory wiping my phone before I travel, since it's simply a matter of getting wifi and time to restore, or if that would only infuriate them more handing them a phone with quite literally nothing installed on it.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#86

Post by anigbrowl »

theandrewbailey wrote: post #18
TazeTSchnitzel wrote: post #11

Interestingly, even US citizens aren't exempted from this. Constitutional rights seemingly don't apply at the border.

And CBP considers the "border" as a 100-mile strip inland around borders and coastlines. https://www.aclu.org/other/constitution-100-mile-border-zone

This is worth remembering when (probably next month) the incoming administration has to decide whether to make good on the promise of deporting millions of people, which promise is very dear to the hearts of core supporters who have felt very let down by previous administrations.

There is a high probability of aggressive mass action within the US under the banner of 'border security' in the not-very distant future which is going to force people to choose sides.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#87

Post by drvdevd »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #79
drvdevd wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right - and apparently this is exactly what you should do. Always travel with throwaway and/or wiped devices. Don't trust a device that's been seized and returned.

I can't upvote this enough. I'm a law abiding citizen, but I still wipe my phone and restore from iCloud after I've made my way through customs or border control.

Yes and you have to keep in mind that just because someone has the legal authority to seize your posession, you have no reason to trust that what they will do with it will be legal as well. For all you know they can do any number of stupid and/or malicious things with your device that don't reflect the intentions of the government they represent either (being generous here). They are just people, after all.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#88

Post by kbenson »

branchless wrote: post #81
makecheck wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve always found it ridiculous that the content of devices is fair game. There is literally nothing on a phone that couldn’t be digitally downloaded after crossing the border (therefore no “threat” by bringing the phone with you). Similarly, there is no possible way to harm an airplane based on what is present on a laptop; and even if there were, you could buy in-flight WiFi and download the bits after boarding. You…

Someone should mod android so when you enter a second password it wipes everything but gives the appearance of a regular login.

Although then you'll probably run afoul of some jurisdictions that make it illegal to lie to the police in some circumstances (not that it necessarily needs to apply, it's the sort of thing they might throw at you to make an example and dissuade others, and quietly drop after they've caused enough mayhem in your life).

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#89

Post by rhizome »

jliptzin wrote: post #21

Don't be fooled, Canadian border patrol proudly engages in this as well. I was recently driving across the border to Montreal on vacation when Canadian border agents, in addition to searching my car and personal belongings, demanded to see my cell phone and turn over the password. I simply asked why, since I didn't think I was doing anything suspicious, at which point the agent angrily responded "because I can and no…

"Sorry, I don't remember the passcode," or say the phone isn't yours.

Re: Canadian journalist's detention at US border raises press freedom alarms

#90

Post by sqeaky »

I am deeply concerned for the state of my country people say stupid shit like this:

> “Keeping America safe and enforcing our nation’s laws in an increasingly digital world depends on our ability to lawfully examine all materials entering the U.S.,” Mr. Givens said in a statement on Thursday.

People who say this fail to realize they are the threat.

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