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New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

radionz.co.nz

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Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#61
post #33
post #8

Is there a SaaS provider specializing in storing encrypted images of phones? The idea being that before you travel, you upload the encrypted image and wipe the phone, then after passing through customs you restore.

Apple? Upload to iCloud (it's supposed to be encrypted!), wipe, restore.

How about Android?

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#62
This sounds troubling and it's a little disappointing to see comments suggesting "factory resets before travel" or "dual booting". These are not things anyone really wants to have to do.

Also, this issue raises some more questions:

1) It sounds like they might use a device to scan your hardware automatically, potentially opening the door to copying files for permanent record

2) It is a small step from here to install tracking software on your device (as China is doing in some places)

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#63
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Factory reset and wipe your device before travel, and restore when you get to your hotel. I’m a privacy nut and while this is a disturbing trend there exist straightforward work arounds. EDIT: I do this all the time and it’s not even remotely difficult or a big deal.

How do you do this with an Android device without spending hours restoring it?

Or even iOS. Just downloading all the apps takes many hours on a fast connection. Restoring 2FA is also a PITA

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#64
I have been thinking of going back to live in NZ to be a software engineer there, but now... uh, no. Such a shame, as it's a really nice country with very smart people.

Granted, it's been very "totalitarian" when it comes to immigration for a long time. Not that I don't think they have the right to do this, but when I went to live there with my kiwi girlfriend, I had to give them actual copies of letters she and I sent each other and get a chest X-ray to prove that I'm not just taking advantage of their socialized medicine. So this sort of scrutiny isn't totally out of character for NZ, but the digital search is where it gets intolerable.

If NZ wants to innovate on anything or to have more movies filmed there, they'll have to do it mostly by themselves, or pay ass-loads to import skilled workers.

EDIT: I made a correction to a part that probably gave people the wrong impression. This was not meant to claim wrong of NZ. I love NZ, and they have every right. I only take issue with the digital search.

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#65
post #8

Is there a SaaS provider specializing in storing encrypted images of phones? The idea being that before you travel, you upload the encrypted image and wipe the phone, then after passing through customs you restore.

I don't think you need a special provider... at least on an iPhone, it only takes a few taps to wipe it, and then when you restart it, it immediately gives you the option of logging in with your Apple ID and restoring from your last backup (which is automatically made nightly, and reportedly encrypted).

I use the iCloud Backup feature on my iPhone. It does not back up every night. It seems to be every other day or so. Right now, it reports that my phone was last successfully backed up 26.5 hours ago.

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#66
post #7

Privacy Commissioner John Edwards had some influence over the drafting of the legislation and said he was "pretty comfortable" with where the law stood... "You know when you come into the country that you can be asked to open your suitcase and that a Customs officer can look at everything in there." Evidently, severe brain damage is no hindrance to securing a commissioner's appointment in New Zealand.

Devil’s advocate: what _is_ wrong with that logic? If we accept that customs can search our persons or luggage as a condition of our entering a given country, what is it about digital materials that makes them off limits?

Also there could be explosives/drugs and other stuff in Luggage. What is the threat of shit on my phone?

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#67

All these laws should come with a stipulation that, if nothing is actually found on a device that actually helps law enforcement protect the civilians, after say about 5 years the law is rescinded. Really, such laws should have to come up for re-approval at an interval anyway. Anyone who has something to hide will either be smart enough to hide it or not bring the device altogether. Really all they're doing is annoyi…

Law enforcement organizations have exactly zero qualms about simply concocting up cases that serve their political aims.

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#68
post #7

Privacy Commissioner John Edwards had some influence over the drafting of the legislation and said he was "pretty comfortable" with where the law stood... "You know when you come into the country that you can be asked to open your suitcase and that a Customs officer can look at everything in there." Evidently, severe brain damage is no hindrance to securing a commissioner's appointment in New Zealand.

Devil’s advocate: what _is_ wrong with that logic? If we accept that customs can search our persons or luggage as a condition of our entering a given country, what is it about digital materials that makes them off limits?

Digital Materials are an extension of your brain, a window into your files, a key to your bank account and safe deposit box. The government doesn't get to access those, the shouldn't get to access my phone?

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#69
post #7

Privacy Commissioner John Edwards had some influence over the drafting of the legislation and said he was "pretty comfortable" with where the law stood... "You know when you come into the country that you can be asked to open your suitcase and that a Customs officer can look at everything in there." Evidently, severe brain damage is no hindrance to securing a commissioner's appointment in New Zealand.

Devil’s advocate: what _is_ wrong with that logic? If we accept that customs can search our persons or luggage as a condition of our entering a given country, what is it about digital materials that makes them off limits?

Because there is a HUGE difference between the contents of your luggage (some clothes, maybe some souvenirs, etc.) and all of your digital accounts (personal pictures, credit card numbers, access to banking, home address, etc.) I don't really care if the TSA look at my underwear, but I don't want anyone, especially low level employees, having access to every single aspect of my life.

Re: New Zealand travellers refusing digital search now face $5k Customs fine

#70
post #50

How does this work for employer-provided devices? I'd be violating my employment contract and could be fired for providing customs with my password.

I have the same issue. I believe that technically my employer could be in violation with some of the contracts we have with some of our government customers.
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