German Girl Turned Away at Border Due to Private Facebook Messages

Post by simonh » Wed, Jun 12, 2013, 1:37 PM UTC

jlgreco wrote: post #206

simonh wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's fairly easy to rig a laptop display to a micro controller just clever enough to run a login screen simulator, gut out the actual computer electronics and battery, and replace them with contraband or a bomb. Tel Aviv security, which I've been through several times, want to be sure the computer is of the kind it's supposed to be. Login screen simulators are old tech. Friends of mine used to run them on the termina…

I mean, if you were willing to invest that sort of effort, it might even be easier just to put the innards from a modern slim "ultrabook" laptop into the case of a 2000 era thinkpad monster. Throw on a "third party extended battery" for good measure... Actually, don't bother with that. There is plenty of air-space in many older laptops that you could pack with explosives if you don't worry about being able to run the…

Post by fnordfnordfnord » Wed, Jun 12, 2013, 2:13 PM UTC

laumars wrote: post #107

rieter wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the US authorities may have been reading her private Facebook messages for weeks. That's ridiculous and puts the whole article under doubt. Nobody would waste that much time on her.

I disagree, It's already well documented how the US government follows social networks and decline people entry over comments made[1]. Where this case differs is that the comments were over private messages - which means that the intel would have been collated covertly. So the real question is whether this is another piece of the PRISM jigsaw or just a sensationalist article cashing in on the hysteria that the NSA le…

Post by fnordfnordfnord » Wed, Jun 12, 2013, 2:26 PM UTC

cantos wrote: post #108

loup-vaillant wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you recall any specific story where they ask you to unlock it?

All electronic devices are subject to search at the U.S. border. http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/crcl-bor...

Post by parasubvert » Wed, Jun 12, 2013, 2:33 PM UTC

ghshephard wrote: post #209

dedward wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Canadians don't need a visa for tourist visits to the US, and passports aren't stamped on exit. It's an incredibly BAD idea in my books, but it's still probably relatively easy for a Canadian to spend a whole lot of time in the US without getting flagged.

Having been here (legally) for 17+ years, I would concur that there is absolutely nothing that would prevent a Canadian from living/working here, other than their integrity and respect for the law (which, admittedly, Canadian have in abundance) - Well, that and a desire to return home for free medicare, more generous welfare system, ... :-) The only evidence I have submitted to a half dozen employers of my right to w…

Post by fnordfnordfnord » Wed, Jun 12, 2013, 2:38 PM UTC

rieter wrote: post #153

benaiah wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"reading" doesn't necessarily have to be done by a human. As PRISM has shown, the government has capabilities we weren't aware (or at least sure) of. Would it be that ridiculous that they would have algorithmic scrapers running through all the FB data they have available? They say they aren't, but they've already proven we can't trust them farther than we can throw them. Even if they aren't, she's a foreign national,…

Even if there is a bigger reason for wanting her out, there is no reason for them to expose PRISM that way. Immigration officers already have rights to deny anyone without explanation. I just don't find anything about that article logical.