A new report by the Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog has concluded that the agency does not always adequately delete data seized as part of a border search of electronic devices, among other concerns.
According to a new 24-page document released Tuesday by DHS’ Office of Inspector General, investigators found that some USB sticks, containing data copied from electronic devices searched at the border, "had not been deleted after the searches were completed."...
Federal authorities do not need a warrant to examine a phone or a computer seized at the border. They rely on what’s known as the "border doctrine"—the legal idea that warrants are not required to conduct a search at the border. This legal theory has been generally recognized by courts... more
Spybuster Tip #841: Device searches occur (even more often) when entering (or leaving) certain foreign countries. If you need to take your mobile device on a trip you should consider doing a data extraction on your device, before you leave... and before they do it for you.
- To be sure you are not carrying data that you can't afford to loose.
- To be sure you are not carrying contraband data (porn, propaganda, etc.).
Remember, even erased data can be exhumed by them. - To document the actually data you are taking—to counter false accusations.
