Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport • Hacker News Board

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#11

Post by rjzzleep » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 6:59 AM UTC

Here's are the procedings [1] and the complaint [2]

Say what you will about the US and the fact that you can get shot for looking at the wrong guy at the wrong time, but the mere fact that this happening and so easy to follow is quite interesting. In Germany you'd be laughed out of the room and I've had my fair share of racism to deal with from the authorities despite having grown up here.

[1] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8168712/haisam-elsharka...

[2] https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.727665...

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#12

Post by nickysielicki » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 6:59 AM UTC

hawaiianbrah wrote: post #9

superkuh wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget that the border zone extends 100 miles in from the actual border (including the great lakes). Most US people live their entire lives in the constitution free zone where this kind of violation is allowed.

“Most people” seems like a bit of a stretch...

It's not. https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights-100-mile-border-zone

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#13

Post by User23 » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:00 AM UTC

gabrielmoshe wrote: post #3

This is certainly not the first article of its kind, and the legality of such action seems to be upheld in court (at least the use of search without a warrant at the border). So, the selfish question then is: How do I protect myself from such unwarranted searches? Is there a way I can present my phone such that it drops into a mode that contains no data? Do I need to back my phone up before traveling, wipe it for the…

It’s sad but not unreasonable that you implicitly discount the possibility of a political solution.

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#14

Post by wolco » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:00 AM UTC

hawaiianbrah wrote: post #9

superkuh wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget that the border zone extends 100 miles in from the actual border (including the great lakes). Most US people live their entire lives in the constitution free zone where this kind of violation is allowed.

“Most people” seems like a bit of a stretch...

65.3 percent live within the border zone.

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#15

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:00 AM UTC

hawaiianbrah wrote: post #9

superkuh wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget that the border zone extends 100 miles in from the actual border (including the great lakes). Most US people live their entire lives in the constitution free zone where this kind of violation is allowed.

“Most people” seems like a bit of a stretch...

[deleted]

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#16

Post by ilikepi » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:02 AM UTC

hawaiianbrah wrote: post #9

superkuh wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't forget that the border zone extends 100 miles in from the actual border (including the great lakes). Most US people live their entire lives in the constitution free zone where this kind of violation is allowed.

“Most people” seems like a bit of a stretch...

Not at all[0]. The continental coastline is an "external boundary".

[0]: https://www.aclu.org/other/constitution-100-mile-border-zone

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#17

Post by User23 » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:02 AM UTC

way2983 wrote: post #10

gabrielmoshe wrote: post #3

This is certainly not the first article of its kind, and the legality of such action seems to be upheld in court (at least the use of search without a warrant at the border). So, the selfish question then is: How do I protect myself from such unwarranted searches? Is there a way I can present my phone such that it drops into a mode that contains no data? Do I need to back my phone up before traveling, wipe it for the…

>So, the selfish question then is: How do I protect myself from such unwarranted searches? Is there a way I can present my phone such that it drops into a mode that contains no data? Do I need to back my phone up before traveling, wipe it for the border crossing, and then restore once I feel safe? Save your encrypted system configuration/data on a service. Leave all your devices behind. Buy new devices on the other s…

Until a court rules that they can ask for your encrypted remote backup because reasons. And then hold you in contempt until you comply.

This isn’t a technical problem, it’s a political one, which means it demands a political solution.

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#18

Post by dylan604 » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:02 AM UTC

yardstick wrote: post #8

danboarder wrote: post #6

Suggestion: for international travel, when possible stow your powered off phone in checked baggage, and bring a non-important factory-reset phone or tablet for entertainment or to connect to the cloud if needed for work etc. If needed keep your work files in a hidden folder on an SD card in your camera... lots of annoying but increasingly necessary workarounds to deal with the growth of authoritarian states.

I would advise against putting any phone in your checked luggage. Too many dishonest baggage handlers and security screeners around.

Also, lipo batteries are "discouraged" from being checked.

edit: adding quotes to help signal the sarcasm

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#19

Post by dylan604 » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:03 AM UTC

Maskawanian wrote: post #4

Nice job Americans. When will you people learn to treat your citizens with decency and stop this ridiculous behaviour. You should be protesting in your streets.

At this point, only maybe, after the next revolution.

Re: Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport

#20

Post by ams6110 » Wed, Dec 19, 2018, 7:06 AM UTC

dylan604 wrote: post #18

yardstick wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would advise against putting any phone in your checked luggage. Too many dishonest baggage handlers and security screeners around.

Also, lipo batteries are "discouraged" from being checked. edit: adding quotes to help signal the sarcasm

s/discouraged/prohibited/ if I'm not mistaken.