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A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

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Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#361

Post by wheelerwj »

morgante wrote: post #201
AlexCoventry wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> — Even if something “suspicious” is found, that is not guilt and no charges can be laid so what is the point!? I'm not defending this highly disturbing practice, but the point is that it's a political test. If they find anything politically disturbing on the phone, they can refuse you entry.

> If they find anything politically disturbing on the phone, they can refuse you entry. No they can't. Refusing to allow a US citizen to (ever) re-enter the country isn't allowed. At worst they can detain you.

at which point, you are still fucked.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#362

Post by Spooky23 »

ephemeral9235 wrote: post #49
masklinn wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> So how do you protect yourself? Wipe phone when you pass through border, restore afterwards. If you're really paranoid, if the device leaves your presence it's to be considered physically compromised.

How about a lockdown feature that sends the unlock code to a trusted 3rd party? For corporate phones that should work quite nicely, especially if unlocking would require physical connection to the trusted network. That way you could simply put it into lockdown mode before you enter border checks and not use the phone except for minimal calling features.

Nah you just whack it.

Most MDMs can wipe the phone or data on it in the event you leave the country.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#363

Post by wheelerwj »

caf wrote: post #249
BJanecke wrote: post #226

Obviously appreciating that NASA has some sensitive data but just for a second also try and appreciate how would this play out for someone who works in the financial industry, where unauthorised sharing of sensitive data is not only a breach of contract with your employer/clients but a crime(insider trading) in almost all countries. Or imagine how the people who enforce these new regulations can exploit this. Query f…

What if you're a lawyer? Isn't it possible - even likely - that you'd have confidential client communications in your phone?

or journalist.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#364

Post by nl »

Razengan wrote: post #242
skriticos2 wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Within Europe (ps: as a European citizen) you can go anywhere with a personal identification card (no passport) and there are no border controls (when walking or driving). There isn't even a border, just a sign: welcome to $country (ps: and maybe local driving instructions). Say what you will about the EU, but this has been a great achievement. I can go through airport security between two EU countries and security w…

Wasn't this how the world worked up until a century ago? Anyone could walk or sail into any country, anywhere in the world, without a passport. Apparently the World Wars changed that.

A century travel was much slower, more difficult and hence less common than it is now.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#365

Post by wheelerwj »

fny wrote: post #330

All the people suggesting a "duress mode" would solve this issue need to wake up. For as long as it's not illegal to force people to open up their phones at the border, you are not under duress. In fact, the government could even warp the situation to where you'd be commiting perjury by showing a fake screen. Unfortunately, we can't solve this problem through technology: we need to convert the broader public and figh…

while i disagree on your point sbout duress, you are absolutely correct about this being a legislative issue, not a technology one.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#366

Post by wheelerwj »

blintz wrote: post #232

> More importantly, travelers are not legally required to unlock their devices, although agents can detain them for significant periods of time if they do not. What kind of ridiculous technicality is that? Detainment isn't supposed to be a tool to coerce cooperation.

every government has a right to process a crime, and that takes time.

so its not unlawful until it's unlawful.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#367

Post by jsmeaton »

sneak wrote: post #331
jsmeaton wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let me start by saying I don't begrudge your info hygiene habits at all, this isn't an attack against you. But I've seen a few suggestions lately on building tools to circumvent these awful policies. What we need to be doing is vehemently protesting these policies and rejecting them completely. If we start building tools to deny information when someone Has physical access to your unlocked device then we normalize th…

If protesting these things worked, we'd never have border searches in the first place. Nobody wants to be searched. Ultimately most people just simply do not place any value on their privacy.

Yeah protesting hasn't really worked that well to date. But do you think people will become more upset if they're told that transiting through airports now requires you to hand over your unlocked phone to a stranger while they go through all of your email, banking, and social media accounts?

It's easy to dismiss data retention laws because they're so far away. But if someone is literally sitting across from you going through your phone? I think (hope) that image will drive the point home a lot better than it has previously.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#368

Post by [deleted] »

anigbrowl wrote: post #263
cylinder wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just don't give them any passwords or unlock anything if you are a US citizen. Let them try to detain a US citizen indefinitely for it.

CBP have deported US citizens in the past. 'Accidentally,' of course. Fun fact: if you are mistakenly placed in immigration detention, you're not automatically entitled to a hearing until 6 months have passed, so you'd better hope someone knows to file a habeas petition on your behalf. In fact you're not automatically entitled to a hearing at all, but that was the working compromise established last time this ended u…

[deleted]

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#369

Post by wheelerwj »

throwaway2439 wrote: post #176

I work at a military base, I received a background check and everything, not for anything classified, but for a scientific research group stationed on a base. Now, I think I'm afraid to leave the country because I'm not white. Here I was planning to get global entry, but it's clear it doesn't matter lick.

i don't know why skin color has anything to do with it? its a religious issue.

or worse, its a class issue in which case, all of us are pretty boned.

Re: A US-born NASA scientist was detained at the border until he unlocked his phone

#370

Post by pedalpete »

The Customs agent insisted he had the authority search the device.

I was thinking about this the other day, as a non-American, and I don't see how that is possible.

I work for the Australian gov't and of course cannot give out passwords or access to any of the devices which I carry which belong to the Australian gov't. How does US Border controls deal with that situation. They definitely do not have the authority to search a device owned by a foreign gov't, though it also seems they don't have the authority to search the device of an American either.

Thoughts?

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