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>I'm going to start putting a USB nuke stick in my luggage in an envelope. Just for fun. Maybe I'll label the envelope something nonsensical like "12-16" just t

>I'm going to start putting a USB nuke stick in my luggage in an envelope. Just for fun. Maybe I'll label the envelope something nonsensical like "12-16" just to make sure people know it's useless. I love the idea but I can't help but think that even with a completely airtight reason to be traveling with that item (e.g. you're a security researcher) you would be accused of terrorism. Somehow.

AstralStorm 10y ago
Well they cannot yet force you to divulge encryption keys, right? And your nuke device might be worthless if they install a firmware exploit that will work later.
- ChoGGi 10y ago
  By nuke device he may have been referring to https://www.usbkill.com https://www.usbkill.com https://youtu.be/X4OmkBYB4HY https://youtu.be/X4OmkBYB4HY
- kwhitefoot 10y ago
  > Well they cannot yet force you to divulge encryption keys, right? They might not be able to force you but it seems that they can lock you up indefinitely for contempt of court in the US and for they definitely can give you five years in the UK because it is a specific offence there under RIPA. See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13919115 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13919115 and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6248902 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6248902.
exabrial 10y ago
That's the problem with Authoritarian (Liberal and Conservative) interpretations of the Constitution. USBkill sticks are non-regulated items, so you don't NEED the government's permission or a "good reason" to possess them. Unfortunately, Liberals have weakened the 2nd Amendment to mean "only if you have a good reason", and weakened the 1st Amendment to mean "as long as you don't offend someone", while Conservatives have weakened the 4th amendment to mean "we suspected it without good cause and it turns out we were right which made the whole search ok." I think if we stop weakening the ammendments we'll stop seeing violations of our basic civil liberties. But when California passes laws that regulate firearms you can wrap a thumb around (yes, this is a real thing), and Arizona passes a law that allows police to stop you if they suspect you're an illegal immigrant, we'll be in a slow spiral with decreasing rights.
- abandonliberty 10y ago
  I'd like you to explore the root cause behind your symptom: erosion of citizen rights. The desire to strengthen old laws is interesting. Why is it that they seem better than the laws we can create today, given our advancements in education and ethics? Pining for the past due to the absence of 'something better'. Why does that 'something better' not exist? Rights are granted with the intent to increase power/wealth for those who grant rights. Based on results, those in power no longer believe that granting rights to commoners is in their best interest. Average citizens have less impact on that now. The constitution and amendments come from a time when they applied to fewer, more powerful people. The erosion of those rights is to be expected unless you're living in an altruistic utopia. Highly recommend you watch CGP Grey's Rules for Rulers for another perspective.

AstralStorm 10y ago

Well they cannot yet force you to divulge encryption keys, right? And your nuke device might be worthless if they install a firmware exploit that will work later.

ChoGGi 10y ago
By nuke device he may have been referring to https://www.usbkill.com https://www.usbkill.com https://youtu.be/X4OmkBYB4HY https://youtu.be/X4OmkBYB4HY
kwhitefoot 10y ago
> Well they cannot yet force you to divulge encryption keys, right? They might not be able to force you but it seems that they can lock you up indefinitely for contempt of court in the US and for they definitely can give you five years in the UK because it is a specific offence there under RIPA. See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13919115 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13919115 and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6248902 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6248902.

exabrial 10y ago

That's the problem with Authoritarian (Liberal and Conservative) interpretations of the Constitution. USBkill sticks are non-regulated items, so you don't NEED the government's permission or a "good reason" to possess them. Unfortunately, Liberals have weakened the 2nd Amendment to mean "only if you have a good reason", and weakened the 1st Amendment to mean "as long as you don't offend someone", while Conservatives have weakened the 4th amendment to mean "we suspected it without good cause and it turns out we were right which made the whole search ok." I think if we stop weakening the ammendments we'll stop seeing violations of our basic civil liberties. But when California passes laws that regulate firearms you can wrap a thumb around (yes, this is a real thing), and Arizona passes a law that allows police to stop you if they suspect you're an illegal immigrant, we'll be in a slow spiral with decreasing rights.

abandonliberty 10y ago
I'd like you to explore the root cause behind your symptom: erosion of citizen rights. The desire to strengthen old laws is interesting. Why is it that they seem better than the laws we can create today, given our advancements in education and ethics? Pining for the past due to the absence of 'something better'. Why does that 'something better' not exist? Rights are granted with the intent to increase power/wealth for those who grant rights. Based on results, those in power no longer believe that granting rights to commoners is in their best interest. Average citizens have less impact on that now. The constitution and amendments come from a time when they applied to fewer, more powerful people. The erosion of those rights is to be expected unless you're living in an altruistic utopia. Highly recommend you watch CGP Grey's Rules for Rulers for another perspective.