Your Camera, Cell Phone Subject to Search?

Next time you head across the border, you may want to hide your iPhone or digital camera when you return. U.S. customs officials are said to be searching electronics in the name of security.

Here's more from Gannett via ABC News:

Jawad Khaki came to America for justice and freedom. But he says he doubts those ideals after U.S. customs officials have repeatedly searched his smart phone when he returns from abroad.

Khaki's story joins other reports in the past few years of U.S. customs officials searching laptops, cellphones and digital cameras in the name of security. In April, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of border searches of electronics in a child pornography case.

"I've had to unlock my phone and show them my scheduled tasks, calendar and contacts," said Khaki, 50, a corporate executive who has been a U.S. citizen since leaving England 23 years ago.

... The Homeland Security Department has not released numbers on how often electronics searches occur, but Gurley points to a survey by her group indicating that 7% of business travelers have been subject to the seizure of a portable device.

Do you consider this an invasion of privacy?

Geoffrey Bennett

Tags: U.S. Customs | privacy rights

1:34 PM ET | 08- 1-2008 | permalink

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