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Would it help to just take e.g. a kindle with a few best sellers on my international flight, and keep my uncharged/wiped/whatever devices in hold baggage? I see

by grkvlt 10y ago

Would it help to just take e.g. a kindle with a few best sellers on my international flight, and keep my uncharged/wiped/whatever devices in hold baggage? I seem to recall in the US you go through passport control _before_ retrieving your checked bags, right? Although, I also remember having them searched at JFK last year, maybe at the customs enforcement point after baggage reclaim? So, maybe not 100% foolproof, depends at what point these searches by ICE are happening?

Sir_Substance 10y ago
Depends on what level of security you want, I guess. The US has a known history of successfully modifying circuitry of devices mid-transit to monitor them[1]. I prefer to keep my electronic devices on me when I fly, but more because I've seen the way baggage handlers throw bags around. [1]https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/05/photos-of-an-nsa-upgrade-factory-show-cisco-router-getting-implant/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/05/photos-of-an-nsa...
- grkvlt 10y ago
  And, what level of threat you perceive to be relevant. For myself, I am not worried about the NSA, TSA or ICE inserting custom hardware into my devices while they are in transit...
benmarks 10y ago
The risk of your gear being stolen from your bag is likely higher.
kyboren 10y ago
No. You will pick up your checked baggage before being diverted to a search area at the exit, where openly Trump-supporting CBP officers will, after violating the Hatch act, treat you like shit, ridicule and attempt to humiliate you, rummage through your stuff, and intentionally leave it all a mess for you to repack. While it's unofficial CBP policy to harass in any way possible--the more petty the better--citizens who refuse to answer questions, I have not yet experienced a device search, so this is just speculation; CBP might just get your checked bag(s) and demand your assistance while you're in the main secondary detention area.

by grkvlt 10y ago

Sir_Substance 10y ago

Depends on what level of security you want, I guess. The US has a known history of successfully modifying circuitry of devices mid-transit to monitor them[1]. I prefer to keep my electronic devices on me when I fly, but more because I've seen the way baggage handlers throw bags around. [1]https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/05/photos-of-an-nsa-upgrade-factory-show-cisco-router-getting-implant/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/05/photos-of-an-nsa...

grkvlt 10y ago
And, what level of threat you perceive to be relevant. For myself, I am not worried about the NSA, TSA or ICE inserting custom hardware into my devices while they are in transit...

benmarks 10y ago

The risk of your gear being stolen from your bag is likely higher.

kyboren 10y ago

No. You will pick up your checked baggage before being diverted to a search area at the exit, where openly Trump-supporting CBP officers will, after violating the Hatch act, treat you like shit, ridicule and attempt to humiliate you, rummage through your stuff, and intentionally leave it all a mess for you to repack. While it's unofficial CBP policy to harass in any way possible--the more petty the better--citizens who refuse to answer questions, I have not yet experienced a device search, so this is just speculation; CBP might just get your checked bag(s) and demand your assistance while you're in the main secondary detention area.