American (U.S.) Court Raised Bar on Searches at Border

[LasRobos 270]

From today's Wall Street Journal:

 

"A federal appeals court set a higher bar for U.S. border officials who want to search the laptops or iPads of people crossing into the country."

 

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ". . . ruled that border authorities must show a 'reasonable suspicion' of wrongdoing before digging into electronic devices."

 

Unfortunately for the defendant in the case the court decided the border officials had met the requirement of reasonable suspicion. They found hundreds of pictures of child pornography upon his return from Mexico. Among other things, part of the reasonable suspicion was a query of a database showing the defendant had been convicted of sex crimes involving minors.

[MM 6,562]

Sounds like an excellent ruling. No more fishing expeditions simply because you don't give them the proper obeisance.

[js007 795]

Sounds like an excellent ruling. No more fishing expeditions simply because you don't give them the proper obeisance.

 

I suppose the government will appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

[papillon 695]

'Reasonable suspicion.'

 

So just about any old reason they can dream up.

 

Same as UK Cops.

[bigdelta 46]

They can't finish the wall soon enough.........

[LasRobos 270]

Sounds like an excellent ruling. No more fishing expeditions simply because you don't give them the proper obeisance.

 

I didn't think to include my personal opinion in the post, but yes, I agree it moves things in the right direction if not far enough. It really does not effect me significantly as I don't have any thing to hide. However I would prefer not to have my time wasted by a search through such items.