JDiver

Given a number of national customs agrncies are empowered legally to search what visitors, residents or citizens bring into the country, including data on mobile phones, laptops, media storage devices, etc. the title has been modified tonreflect they may and have the legal right to do this, not that they will do this.

JDiver
Senior Moderator

Ashburton

So, last time I posted my experience on being "Enhanced Checked" upon arrival in Sydney.

Now I will explain what happens when you leave Sydney keep in mind I am an Australian citizen and passport holder.

I got my boarding pass and checked in my bags with my mom. Very courteous check in staff by Menzies airport services on behalf of China airlines.

I was looking forward to the new Skyteam lounge. I was given an express pass as I was in C class that's means I get to use the fast track at SYD.

All good so far and I am looking forward to a nice flight since my arrival was so stressful with the so called Random Enhanced Checks.

So I put my passport into the automated passport reader and stare at the cameras for facial recognition.

The green arrow lights up and I was relieved the door opens

Suddenly a border security guard asks for my documents and escorts me to a waiting area

My heart dropped,not again I thought but yes it is happening again.

I was taken to a special room with 4 checking stations manned by about 6-8 people keep in mind this is for departure not arrival. My checked in luggage somehow appeared in the room and the Border agents again took my phone and my files for analysis.

I want to be present during the file check as there are company documents and personal information that's not mine.

Border security replied in an annoyed voice "do you want to catch your flight"? "we need to go through each page and it's easier if we take it to a back room for analysis (photocopy)" The border guard looked annoyed and raised his voice I didn't want to piss him off or I would miss my flight they had leverage and they knew how to use it. So I handed the files over and my phone and computer again.

The border agents cleared my mother very quickly and I asked if its possible to let my mother go to her flight ? the agents said since we are travelling together we are detained together even though she was already cleared she had to stay.

Again they went through my bags didn't find anything cleared me they took their time as they wanted to give their colleagues in the private room with my phone and files more time I guess. Honestly why do they even go through my bags it's my phone and computer they want?

While checking my bags they used this time to chit chat (interrogate) with me asking me very personal questions about my whole life and work. I believe this is a technique to catch you out as you are seeing your stuff being ransacked through you are not on your guard.

After about 60 minutes they returned my stuff, sent my baggage back to the plane and pushed me and my mom to the security line. I asked "sir,I just got every inch of my bags checked now I need to take off my shoes and belt and electronic devices again?"

They replied we are government border security we can't clear you to go on the plane without the the subcontracted security manning the x Ray machines signing off.

Ok so I asked him why was I checked again he said well somebody must have flagged your name on the system and kept the flag on the system after you were checked on arrival. I am sorry you had to go through this twice I know it's rough I am just doing my job if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't be worried.

I was forced to talk to someone and give my life story and work information that in the hands of a competitor could be detrimental to my company. I lost an hour maybe more of my life. And they went through my property. This something I am worried about they don't even explain why I was flagged how I can be de- flagged? Will I get the same intensive treatment next time I come back home? No answers or recourse to clear my name I am not guilty or innocent I am stuck in limbo on their system.

So basically if I don't like somebody I could just dial an anonymous tip to the border security have that person flagged for a random enhanced interrogation( security check). Where are the checks and balances in this system? They just have zero responsibility for hindering the lives of normal citizens.

This really is the Soviet Union style border security the government should have clearer policy's that allows for one to address his accuser.

Ashburton

Yes I made my flight and yes I had a few drinks on the plane.

henrus

You have clearly done something wrong in the past to raise a red flag as this is not normal

Coathanger

Have you lodged a written complaint with Border Force requesting a please explain?

wco81

So current mobile devices have full device encryption.

US CIA and other intelligence agency officials have been complaining about iOS and Android devices not having a backdoor for intelligence agencies to snoop.

If the authorities at airports wanted to search these devices, are you obligated to unlock for them? Assuming they have no other way to crack the encryption unless the owner cooperates?

Would they refuse entry or eject a foreigner who refuses to allow access to their devices?

There are anecdotes of unwitting Americans being victimized because they hand over their devices, unlocked, to police officers, who've been known to steal personal information.

But US citizens are not obliged to unlock their devices within the US.

Exec_Plat

however they can hold onto any property they cannot adequately search until such time that they can.

You can enter, but your locked cell or laptop might not...

Right?

JDiver

Fellow members: after some cleanup of posts that were dilatory and getting personal, let's get back to the topic at hand and refrain from any basing, okay?

TIA,

JDiver
Senior Moderator