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Can the border patrol ask you to sign into any online service? Because that's essentially what this is. The data isn't on the computer they are searching, it's

Can the border patrol ask you to sign into any online service? Because that's essentially what this is. The data isn't on the computer they are searching, it's on a server thousands of miles away. The data was erased from the device. If they can force you to sign into that service, they could also force you to sign into your bank, github, etc.

rosser 9y ago
> Can the border patrol ask you to sign into any online service? If you're a non-citizen attempting to enter the US under a visa waiver program, from certain countries, yes, they can.
- djsumdog 9y ago
  Then you can just turn around and be deported. Non-citizens don't have many rights at the border. The big questions is for Americans, who also have fewer rights at the border (4th amendment for example). Can they force you to sign into external services at the airport if you're a citizen? Everyone should refuse to do this.
  - late2part 9y ago
    I'm not a lawyer, and I hate having to preface that. But Hell No they can't. They can ask. They can threaten. But once they know you're a US citizen, they either detain you or they let you go (on to customs).
    - daxelrod 9y ago
      They can confiscate your belongings though.
- fernandotakai 9y ago
  a border officer searched for me on fucking facebook when i was going into the us in march. she said "i just want to know who you are and why you are coming". i don't have a facebook account. she said this was really suspicious. oh and she also found suspicious that i had two us entry stamps within a week of each other and didn't accept my explanation that i had gone through the us to go to england with my wife (even after i pointed to the GB entry stamp). i hate going through the us border control.
  - zerd 9y ago
    Actually they ask for social media accounts when applying for a visa waiver now, e.g. ESTA. I bet they'll mark you as suspicious if you travel without any electronics too, because that has become uncommon.
  - mcv 9y ago
    > she said "i just want to know who you are and why you are coming". Isn't that what passport and visa are for?

rosser 9y ago

> Can the border patrol ask you to sign into any online service? If you're a non-citizen attempting to enter the US under a visa waiver program, from certain countries, yes, they can.

djsumdog 9y ago
Then you can just turn around and be deported. Non-citizens don't have many rights at the border. The big questions is for Americans, who also have fewer rights at the border (4th amendment for example). Can they force you to sign into external services at the airport if you're a citizen? Everyone should refuse to do this.
- late2part 9y ago
  I'm not a lawyer, and I hate having to preface that. But Hell No they can't. They can ask. They can threaten. But once they know you're a US citizen, they either detain you or they let you go (on to customs).
  - daxelrod 9y ago
    They can confiscate your belongings though.
fernandotakai 9y ago
a border officer searched for me on fucking facebook when i was going into the us in march. she said "i just want to know who you are and why you are coming". i don't have a facebook account. she said this was really suspicious. oh and she also found suspicious that i had two us entry stamps within a week of each other and didn't accept my explanation that i had gone through the us to go to england with my wife (even after i pointed to the GB entry stamp). i hate going through the us border control.
- zerd 9y ago
  Actually they ask for social media accounts when applying for a visa waiver now, e.g. ESTA. I bet they'll mark you as suspicious if you travel without any electronics too, because that has become uncommon.
- mcv 9y ago
  > she said "i just want to know who you are and why you are coming". Isn't that what passport and visa are for?