So, coming back from JNB to LAX I was flagged SSSS at random on the LHR-LAX segment of my ticket. The lady at the check in counter told me that I was selected for "profiling" at either LHR or LAX as she put it taking me aback at bit so I started reading about this a bit.

I came to find out that CBP can go through all the content on your phone, laptop and even seize it for hours not affording you any privacy at all with regard to your information.

The theory is that the USA as a sovereign state has a right to inspect, control and admit all property that enters it's borders whether it is physical or virtual.

What do you guys think about this? Is it going a bit too far? Luckily for me my laptop and phone was just inspected at the gate in LHR when I was called to secondary but they did not ask me to power it up. But the concept of agents going through my personal emails and files disturbs me greatly and seems to be an invasion of privacy. Surely there have to be some privacy laws that protect people as well?