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ACLU files suit on behalf of Apple employee for not giving access to phone/laptop

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ACLU files suit on behalf of Apple employee for not giving access to phone/laptop

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Old Apr 9, 2019, 12:18 pm
  #16  
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Originally Posted by drewguy
The markers that generate a non-random SSSS could also generate additional screening at the back end, although of course SSSS is just about a search at the departure airport.



I think CBP is much less interested in the physical form of the phone once you're off the plane than it is the contents/cloud materials. From a counterterrorism perspective, a phone containing instructions/information about 'what to do next" would be fairly appealing.
True, but data in the 'cloud' is not physically on my person at the border. To me, CBP using my device to gain access to my cloud account is no different than CBP confiscating my key ring and then using my keys to enter and search my house.
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Old Apr 9, 2019, 3:22 pm
  #17  
 
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This is the first published incident I recall where a US citizen actually stood his ground and refused to unlock the device in spite of the threats (and the case isn't otherwise polluted by the traveler already confessing that there is contraband on the device, previously providing the code, etc.) That makes in an interesting case to analyze and potentially an interesting case if the ACLU can do something with it. The other cases I recall, including the Stockton mayor (2015) and Sidd Bikkannavar (2017), unlocked their devices and later said they were "forced" to do so.

Was Andreas Gal subject to lesser intimidation than the other cases, or did he just manage to resist the interrogation/threats long enough that CBP gave up? (I personally think it should be a criminal offense for LEOs to lie to suspects about if a specific action is a crime.)

Even if no legal action goes anywhere (I'm confident CBP will find a way to say that Global Entry is a completely revocable privilege for any arbitrary reason or non-reason), any publicity this case gets damages the ability of CBP intimidate US citizens into unlocking devices.
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Old Apr 9, 2019, 10:52 pm
  #18  
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Originally Posted by TWA884
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Dr. Gal suspects that it was retaliatory.
He got what he is deserved. In accordance to 8 CFR §235.12(b)(2):

An individual is ineligible to participate in Global Entry if CBP, at its sole discretion, determines that the individual presents a potential risk for terrorism, criminality (such as smuggling), or is otherwise not a low-risk traveler. This risk determination will be based in part upon an applicant's ability to demonstrate past compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. Reasons why an applicant may not qualify for participation include:
So even the action might look retaliatory, the fact that he refused the search (even the search was considered illegal) could constitute a ground for revocation.
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Old Apr 10, 2019, 12:34 am
  #19  
 
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Originally Posted by TWA884
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Dr. Gal suspects that it was retaliatory.
Originally Posted by garykung
He got what he is deserved. In accordance to 8 CFR §235.12(b)(2): ... So even the action might look retaliatory, ...
I think you may be confusing TWA884's "retaliatory" (of his SSSS being a retaliation due to him being outspoken about the current Administration) with the actions of CBP being "retaliatory" about removing his GE privileges.
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Old Apr 10, 2019, 12:24 pm
  #20  
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Originally Posted by garykung
He got what he is deserved. In accordance to 8 CFR §235.12(b)(2):
What was expected, or what he deserved?

Originally Posted by garykung
So even the action might look retaliatory, the fact that he refused the search (even the search was considered illegal) could constitute a ground for revocation.
The language you quote does not lead to the conclusion you draw.
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Old Apr 10, 2019, 12:52 pm
  #21  
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Originally Posted by kennycrudup
I think you may be confusing TWA884's "retaliatory" (of his SSSS being a retaliation due to him being outspoken about the current Administration) with the actions of CBP being "retaliatory" about removing his GE privileges.
I may be. What I meant was the actions of CBP being "retaliatory" about removing his GE privileges.

Originally Posted by Ari
What was expected, or what he deserved?
GE revocation.

Originally Posted by Ari
The language you quote does not lead to the conclusion you draw.
It does not have to be - as always, CBP has its own discretion.
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Old Apr 10, 2019, 1:34 pm
  #22  
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Originally Posted by garykung
Originally Posted by kennycrudup
I think you may be confusing TWA884's "retaliatory" (of his SSSS being a retaliation due to him being outspoken about the current Administration) with the actions of CBP being "retaliatory" about removing his GE privileges.
I may be. What I meant was the actions of CBP being "retaliatory" about removing his GE privileges.
Dr. Gal suspects that he was singled out for a search of his electronic devices and was subsequently detained in retaliation for his outspokenness.
Apple employee detained by US border agents over his iPhone and laptop speaks out

Gal charged that his stop by CBP agents may be because of his work at Mozilla and the company's views on opposing the government’s warrantless mass surveillance.

"In the past two years I've been very outspoken on the Trump administration's policies on social media, particularly with respect to Customs and Border Protection and immigration," said Gal.
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Old Apr 10, 2019, 2:32 pm
  #23  
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Originally Posted by TWA884
Dr. Gal suspects that he was singled out for a search of his electronic devices and was subsequently detained in retaliation for his outspokenness.
Wondering if Dr. Gal had any characteristics that was different than they crowd he was in? Did they stand out and making selection less than random?
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Old Apr 10, 2019, 2:51 pm
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
Wondering if Dr. Gal had any characteristics that was different than they crowd he was in? Did they stand out and making selection less than random?
According to the photos in the linked ABC News article, he was arriving at SFO on an SAS flight from CPH and his appearance is that of average Caucasian male.
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Old Apr 11, 2019, 10:32 am
  #25  
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Originally Posted by garykung
I may be. What I meant was the actions of CBP being "retaliatory" about removing his GE privileges.
They also retaliated against him by revoking his GE privileges. There was no need to do that other than to harass and intimidate.

Originally Posted by garykung
GE revocation.
You didn't answer my question. Did he deserve GE revocation in your view, or was that simply the expected result of his actions.

Originally Posted by garykung
It does not have to be - as always, CBP has its own discretion.
They have to follow the CFR. The CFR gives them discretion to act within the CFR. They cannot act in an arbitrary and capricious manner.
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Old Apr 12, 2019, 9:55 am
  #26  
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Originally Posted by chollie
True, but data in the 'cloud' is not physically on my person at the border. To me, CBP using my device to gain access to my cloud account is no different than CBP confiscating my key ring and then using my keys to enter and search my house.
It would be a more compelling analogy if those keys to the house allowed the agents to teleport into it from the interrogation room.

With your phone you have immediate access to the contents of the device and what is directly accessible via cloud. Now, if there were separate password protection for that (i.e., you unlock phone but refuse to enter gmail password) I can see how it gets harder to justify further search.

More generally, I'm not sure physical analogies always helpful to digital matters.
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Old Apr 12, 2019, 10:01 am
  #27  
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Originally Posted by garykung
So even the action might look retaliatory, the fact that he refused the search (even the search was considered illegal) could constitute a ground for revocation.
I don't see how refusing to comply with an illegal search would "demonstrate past compliance with laws, regulations, and policies" or, really, a lack of compliance. If anything refusing an unlawful order suggests compliance, not non-compliance, with laws.

Put differently, I think CBP would have a hard time justifying the following: "We revoked his GE privileges because he refused to comply with our unlawful request/demand."
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Old Apr 12, 2019, 10:47 am
  #28  
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I thought the law allowed them to confiscate the device if you didn't unlock.

Or maybe even deny you entry/re-entry to the country?
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Old Apr 12, 2019, 11:19 am
  #29  
 
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Originally Posted by drewguy
I don't see how refusing to comply with an illegal search would "demonstrate past compliance with laws, regulations, and policies" or, really, a lack of compliance. If anything refusing an unlawful order suggests compliance, not non-compliance, with laws.
From the complaint:
Critically, Dr. Gal never refused to provide the passcodes to access the electronic devices in his possession, he only asked that he be allowed to consult with an attorney to ensure that he would not violate non-disclosure agreements with his employer. In the interactions with CBP officers, Dr. Gal repeated many times that he would comply with any legal requirement, but that he needed to consult with an attorney to understand his rights before he could do so.
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Old Apr 12, 2019, 11:32 am
  #30  
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So demand to consult with an attorney before unlocking.
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