3 ms·

This is a dumb idea if you want to actually take your flight in this situation instead of spending hours discussing privacy with TSA agents. But I also wonder

by m0zg 7y ago

This is a dumb idea if you want to actually take your flight in this situation instead of spending hours discussing privacy with TSA agents. But I also wonder what is it that they expect to find during these searches. In the world where I can transfer my criminal activity data through the likes of Dropbox (in encrypted form, of course), why would I have it on my phone or a laptop? What's the goal here?

ixtli 7y ago
As a US citizen i would only expect someone to force me to unlock my phone at a US port of entry, not when leaving. And yeah i'm willing to waste their time on my way back from the trip if they try to waste mine.
- m0zg 7y ago
  That only works if you don't have a connecting flight to catch. If you do, your willingness to waste time might plunge considerably. That's what they count on.
  - ixtli 7y ago
    Yeah that’s why I said port of entry. I meant that this is fine for me if I’m exiting the airport.
- sneak 7y ago
  As a US citizen you are not required to unlock anything (or answer any questions) when re-entering the US.
  - m0zg 7y ago
    This is true. But it's also true to that your devices could be seized if you don't comply.
Keverw 7y ago
Interesting, didn't know the TSA was searching peoples phones now, but the article mentions a tweet and someone also replied with a link where the TSA is being sued. I thought all the TSA could do relating to electronics is swab them or make sure they power on, while customs have the broader authority... but I know people confuse them as the same but they are separate agencies even though both are under the same DHS department. For example custom agents are actual law enforcement with guns, while TSA agents are more like mall security with no guns. It seems like traveling is getting more and more annoying the more I see stuff, already don't like the idea of taking off shoes and stuff. Plus stories of TSA agents stealing stuff. Then customs agents profile people, certain races or solo travelers. Because apparently you aren't allowed to vacation by yourself, and heard woman get looked at even more for solo traveling, they suspect they are coming to marry or carrying drugs. Just seems so outdated some of their thinking, seen on the news more and more people are vacationing alone too. A new trend. It's like something out of the 1950s. I hope though over times things will get better than worse. I know I seen they have some 3D scanners now so in the future might not need to unpack everything, like a laptop, iPad, etc and speed things up. Anything bigger than a phone, not sure if cameras count(maybe depends on if a DSLR or point and shoot size wise) but a lot of stuff to steal if you are a geek or loves to take lots of videos or photos of your vacation. However a friend who travels frequently thinks this is a overworry since so much security cameras and stuff, it'd be stupid to steal. But I know there was a news story where a reporter got his iPad stolen so they took the news van and drove right to the TSA agents house with camera crew in tow to confront him.
tlrobinson 7y ago
A truly dumb idea is giving anyone unfettered access to your digital devices. Even/especially governments, depending on the government and your circumstances. Missing a flight would probably waste less time than rotating passwords/keys for every service I’m logged into on my phone.
- m0zg 7y ago
  >> A truly dumb idea is giving anyone unfettered access to your digital devices. Goes without saying. But laws being what they are you may have no choice in the matter.
  - dannyw 7y ago
    Not if you're a citizen: you have a choice to not give up your passwords.
    - m0zg 7y ago
      But importantly, you don't have a choice of not having your devices seized.
Hamuko 7y ago
>instead of spending hours discussing privacy with TSA agents. And here I thought that they'd just put you in a small jail cell for days.
- m0zg 7y ago
  That's when you're done with the discussion.

by m0zg 7y ago

ixtli 7y ago

As a US citizen i would only expect someone to force me to unlock my phone at a US port of entry, not when leaving. And yeah i'm willing to waste their time on my way back from the trip if they try to waste mine.

m0zg 7y ago
That only works if you don't have a connecting flight to catch. If you do, your willingness to waste time might plunge considerably. That's what they count on.
- ixtli 7y ago
  Yeah that’s why I said port of entry. I meant that this is fine for me if I’m exiting the airport.
sneak 7y ago
As a US citizen you are not required to unlock anything (or answer any questions) when re-entering the US.
- m0zg 7y ago
  This is true. But it's also true to that your devices could be seized if you don't comply.

Keverw 7y ago

Interesting, didn't know the TSA was searching peoples phones now, but the article mentions a tweet and someone also replied with a link where the TSA is being sued. I thought all the TSA could do relating to electronics is swab them or make sure they power on, while customs have the broader authority... but I know people confuse them as the same but they are separate agencies even though both are under the same DHS department. For example custom agents are actual law enforcement with guns, while TSA agents are more like mall security with no guns. It seems like traveling is getting more and more annoying the more I see stuff, already don't like the idea of taking off shoes and stuff. Plus stories of TSA agents stealing stuff. Then customs agents profile people, certain races or solo travelers. Because apparently you aren't allowed to vacation by yourself, and heard woman get looked at even more for solo traveling, they suspect they are coming to marry or carrying drugs. Just seems so outdated some of their thinking, seen on the news more and more people are vacationing alone too. A new trend. It's like something out of the 1950s. I hope though over times things will get better than worse. I know I seen they have some 3D scanners now so in the future might not need to unpack everything, like a laptop, iPad, etc and speed things up. Anything bigger than a phone, not sure if cameras count(maybe depends on if a DSLR or point and shoot size wise) but a lot of stuff to steal if you are a geek or loves to take lots of videos or photos of your vacation. However a friend who travels frequently thinks this is a overworry since so much security cameras and stuff, it'd be stupid to steal. But I know there was a news story where a reporter got his iPad stolen so they took the news van and drove right to the TSA agents house with camera crew in tow to confront him.

tlrobinson 7y ago

A truly dumb idea is giving anyone unfettered access to your digital devices. Even/especially governments, depending on the government and your circumstances. Missing a flight would probably waste less time than rotating passwords/keys for every service I’m logged into on my phone.

m0zg 7y ago
>> A truly dumb idea is giving anyone unfettered access to your digital devices. Goes without saying. But laws being what they are you may have no choice in the matter.
- dannyw 7y ago
  Not if you're a citizen: you have a choice to not give up your passwords.
  - m0zg 7y ago
    But importantly, you don't have a choice of not having your devices seized.

Hamuko 7y ago

>instead of spending hours discussing privacy with TSA agents. And here I thought that they'd just put you in a small jail cell for days.

m0zg 7y ago
That's when you're done with the discussion.