Can customs look at my laptop?
 

The following story suggests that they can not only look at it, but require you to supply passwords and operating instructions -- and then they can keep it for months or even years. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23037049/page/2/

This story is specific to US customs, and I have never experienced such an event in the US; but I have experienced it in several other countries, so this is probably the case for all border crossings where customs inspection is permitted. Something to keep in mind (with all these threads on encrypted hard drive and cleaning a laptop).

There was a while when entering the UK they would occasionally scan the hard drive looking for kiddie porn.

But yes, they can look at it, and from time to time do.

There's also an article in the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

TrueCrypt is your friend! I have a laptop but I don't store anything personal on it because it isn't my primary computer so it isn't encrypted. If I did I would definitely be using some sort of encryption.

This would allow any government agency to be satisfied logging into your computer, but depending on how you setup the encryption they won't be able to find the encrypted partition where all of your sensitive date is stored.

It would be interesting to see what recommendations the EFF has regarding data privacy and how to keep your files away from government officals.

That's where the MSN article was sourced from.

Anyways, if they're taking laptops, they better have good evidence on that during their search that leads them to believe the person they are taking it from has very serious stuff on there such as kiddie porn or terrorist related info.

Not MP3s. :rolleyes:

While I dont agree with them searching laptops, what does the above mean? They are not "taking" they are searching, What good evidence do they need for the search?? It is an entry point and they can search anything and dont need any "evidence" for the search.

Perhaps along with Steganos(?) software that hides files within files?

A couple of years ago I was in Thailand once a month for about 30 hours each time, and every time I returned they would go through my laptop looking for child porn/proof of illegal sex acts.

I guess as a balding 40 year old white male, I fit that profile.

That said, if I stopped over anywhere else on the way back and "forgot" to put Thailand on the list of countries visited, it never happened.

Steve

There are stories of people not getting their laptops back for weeks or months. Don't know if they are true or urban legends. That's not a "taking" in the legal sense but still a worry.

My concern is the arbitrary nature and the lack of any recourse. Sort of how at some airports the TSA agents decided to have some fun with travelers.

Although I am very much in favor of privacy rights, I don't think there is much difference between a laptop an other things such as a book, a photo album, etc. In other words, if you bring a photo album back, they are allowed to open it and look at the pictures...

That being said, I agree 100% with Lineman... TrueCrypt is great. Not only can it create an encrypted drive, but it can also create a hidden drive.

A hidden drive is very useful in the event where someone "forces" you to unlock an encrypted file. Go on the link for more details.

TrueCrypt can also hide file within a file... see http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/?s=hidden-volume.

Likewise, Canada Customs can look at your laptop. I had mine looked at in YVR when returning from LAS.

Sanosuke!

This thread is about Customs not TSA,,,

Any concern that CBP will find the entry/exit stamps in your passport?