The Canadian government updated travel recommendations and reminded its citizens again to “expect control” by US border officials in the event of traveling to the United States. TASR reports according to the Canadian CBC station.
On the government website with official travel recommendations for passengers heading south is located Updated paragraph regarding the “considerable” powers of these officials when deciding who will enter their country – including the powers to search electronics, ie mobile phones and laptops.
“United States Authorities strictly observe entry requirements. Expect strict control including control of electronic devices when entering. Follow the regulations and be helpful in all contacts with the border authorities. If you are refused, you can be detained while waiting for deportation, ”says the website.
In this context, experts in the field of immigration law stated that passengers who are worried about their privacy should be aware of the powers of border officials in advance and decide how much risk they are willing to undergo before they set out on a trip to the US. Some experts suggest that passengers take a replacement phone with them, and the one they normally use to leave at home, lists CBC.
The Canadian station recalls that elsewhere in the US territory, US police need permission to inspect a phone or laptop. However, US authorities at the border According to CBC, they can browse mobile phones, check comments on social networks and explore laptops coming even without a court order. They can also seize the device or download the entire content.
According to Adam Schwartz of Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in San Francisco should border officials seek evidence that someone is going to commit a crime or violate the conditions of the entry visa.
“For many people, the phone is a window into the soul. It contains links to a partner or partner, your calendar shows all the people you’ve encountered. So many people may want to take measures to keep this information safe,” added Schwartz.
According to him, it is possible to refuse to inspect the electronic device, but officials at the border can deny such a passenger to the US. They can also confiscate the phone and try to unlock it or hold the passenger for several hours. “Before people reach the border, they have to decide how much intervention in privacy they are willing to tolerate,” he added.
