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Travelers Rage Over Seized Laptops

Government equates computers with bags; civil-liberties groups disagree

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2008 12:18 PM CST

(Newser) – US border agents tell travelers there’s no difference between a laptop and a suitcase; both are fair game for searches. People crossing into the US have found their electronics confiscated, and their data copied, the Washington Post reports, all without explanation. “The government is going well beyond its traditional role of looking for contraband,” said one irate lawyer.

Two civil-liberties groups are set today to file a lawsuit inspired by 24 such cases—15 involving travelers of Muslim, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent. Businesses are worried too, with some requiring employees to wipe laptops clean of company secrets before travel. “People are quite concerned. They don’t want proprietary business information” divulged, one activist said. “It increases the anxiety level.”

Border agents have been taking electronics, copying all the information on them, and offering no explanation. This has alarmed some people.
Border agents have been taking electronics, copying all the information on them, and offering no explanation. This has alarmed some people.   (Getty Images)
  (Shutterstock)
Fliers Lose Laptops at Airport Checkpoints
Fliers Lose Laptops at Airport Checkpoints   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Mike D
Jan 19, 2011 11:38 AM CST
After 9/11, our rights were seemingly gone. Check out this article that goes in depth about the reach of government and how they, with this new seizure of electronics, are practicing discrimination. http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978948132

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