News Article: Laptop Border Search Procedures To Be Documented

[Ehtyar]

The procedures the TSA follows in conducting border searches of laptops may be made public under new legislation.

A U.S. lawmaker introduced a bill last week that would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to disclose its procedures for searching computers and devices at the border as well as produce a quarterly report of all laptops, devices and data seized by border agents.

The bill, titled the Border Security Search Accountability Act of 2008, would limit the length of time devices can be held by DHS agents and increase protections for corporate data stored on devices. In addition, individuals would be entitled to a receipt for their belongings, written confirmation if their data is copied and more information about dispute resolution. The DHS would also have to produce a quarterly report of the number of devices seized at different ports of entry.

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Ehtyar.

[mouser]

This would go a long way towards curbing abuses.  I think TSA agents should also be required to fill out some kind of form stating exactly WHY they are taking your laptop, with stringent requirements that it be a detailed and real explanation.