I love the creative writing and entitlement that comes through when someone has been wronged.
> Ex-Mozilla CTO
Has no more or less rights than anyone else.
> Techie says he was grilled for three hours
Clearly click bait 'grilled for three hours'. Not questioned but 'grilled'.
> "There I quickly found myself surrounded by three armed agents wearing bullet proof vests."
So what? Of course they were armed. Of course they had bullet proof vests. The sole purpose of using words like that (by a writer) is to get the goat of anyone reading and have them all up in arms about INJUSTICE of one type or another.
> They started to question me aggressively regarding my trip, my current employment, and my past work for Mozilla
What do you think? They should act like the concierge at the Four Seasons? Of course they are going to be aggressive. That's law enforcement attitude and there is a purpose for doing so.
> Given the devices were emblazoned with big red stickers reading "PROPERTY OF APPLE. PROPRIETARY," and he had signed confidentially agreements with Cupertino, Gal said he asked for permission to call his bosses and/or a lawyer to see if he would get into trouble by handing over access.
This is total BS. You don't need your bosses agreement when a request is made from Law Enforcement at least not because you signed some NDA etc. Fine that he attempted and asked. But the reason is weak.
> and threatened him with criminal charges should he not concede to the search
Cops are allowed to lie. Not sure what the story is with border agents but possibly the same. That is how they often get info.
> "My past work on encryption and online privacy is well documented, and so is my disapproval of the Trump administration and my history of significant campaign contributions to Democratic candidates,"
He is living in fantasy land here if he thinks there is some list of people that are being targeted for that reason. Not that it could happen but highly unlikely. It would take an entire Nixonian operation to pull that off. I think more likely since he came from a former communist state his thinking goes to this type of paranoia.
> Now, Gal has enlisted the help of the ACLU to probe into the brouhaha, and determine whether his civil rights were violated.
Yes everyone is looking either for more internet fame or a payout. Not sure why he needs to save the world and belabor the issue. Just move on and don't waste time.
> "Furthermore, CBP’s policies lack protections for First Amendment rights by allowing interrogation and device searches that may be based on a traveler’s political beliefs, activism, nation of origin, or identity."
Sounds like typical ACLU behavior for more publicity to aid fund raising (story on 60 Minutes):
https://www.cbs.com/shows/60_minutes/video/cm_lFZDERHcELSPw2...
ACLU got into high gear over Trump and sends out letters literally trying to raise money (I received one) clearly mentioning in so many words to take Trump down. Not the same organization that it used to be. On the 60 Minutes story iirc a former head of ACLU was interviewed and bothered by the current behavior.