Searched By US Customs, Including Laptop & Camera

[rickirs]

"So single men entering to the US should be aware that they can be 'profiled'..." No where did you mention that customs selected you because you were single. In fact you don't even mention that you are single. If you were profiled it was likely because of the countries you visited that have pedophile and illegal drugs noteriety; that is a legitimate profile. US Customs is just doing their job and it's one of the few US government agencies that is highly praised by the US Congress.

[LomSak27]

If our privacy needs to be invaded

You have left the US and are re-entering - you are at a immigration customs checkpoint - You seem to have missed that point. You don't have the same "rights" you do if living in the US. Cowjai???

[Ajaan]

You weren't paying attention: TrueCrypt has TWO password levels. You store the things you WANT people searching you to find at one level, and, after you let them pressure and threaten you, you "reluctantly surrender" that password. However, there's a second level of encryption in the file--which is completely invisible--which is only able to be opened with the second password, which you never give them. The file looks just like one encrypted file, it's just which password you enter that determines which level of the file will be opened.

Of course, governments know about this by now (TrueCrypt is free and open source, and it's no secret that it has this hidden encryption level capability), and if they REALLY suspect you of something (that is, have other evidence to incriminate you beyond just your appearance), they'll confiscate your device no matter whether you give them a password or not. But they still won't be able to get into the second encryption level, if you have one. TrueCrypt is really, really good at what it does.[/qudumb]

Yeah...these guys are dumb but not that dumb.

Its pretty easy to see that the size of the decrypted data doesn't match the size of the folder/drive.

Haha...you don't know much about TrueCrypt, do you? Go to their website, read and learn.

And what, you dont think TSA knows how to read a website? Are you some Snowden wannabe posting from a computer in mommy's basement..have you ever traveled internationally...do you even have a passport? Yeah its all fine and good to drone on about the glories of TC (and I agree, it, and PGP, are the best encryption programs out there) but we're talking about the distopian world of US border security and not some Jeffersonian ideal of perfect liberty here.

I've know about and used TC for over 10 years. On my clean traveling computer I don't store any sensitive data so I've no need for encryption. Also, just having the program on a traveling device that is selected for enhanced screening will arouse suspicion. I'm not going to fight them, especially when I've nothing to hide. When I travel internationally, I want to get in and out of border checks points quickly and with a minimum of fuss. Using TC on a traveling device would defeat that objective.

Hahaha, oh, you're too precious, ai hia, ai yip, ai duut khoy!! I travel to Thailand 3x a year...so, um, yeah, I have a passport. Mommy's basement? Sorry, my mother passed away 9 years ago, and I'm well into my 50s...

I also "have nothing to hide," but in silent protest against the continual (and growing) US gov't invasion into our privacy, I purposely leave a TC-encrypted file containing porno (which I actually never watch in real life!) on my laptop just...because.

I also know how to dress, etc., to thwart TSA profiling--it's actually scarily easy--so I've never been pulled out for a laptop/cellphone search (before I learned to tie my hair in a ponytail, I was profiled and searched for drugs several times...THAT's how easy it is to confuse those dimwits...long hair = drug smuggler; hair-in-ponytail = non-drug smuggler...

[ericthai]

Prior to moving to Thailand when I was traveling throughout Asia for engineering projects I would get stopped and checked maybe one out of ten trips. Nothing extensive just a few questions and x-ray my bags. So this is nothing new has been going since I first traveled to Asia which early 90's.

[Mario2008]

Flame removed.

Please keep it civil.

[jaycor]

As a strict policy my old firm used to have travelling from Canada to the United States, all laptops and phones must be a clean install with absolutely no files on them. IT department would give us a freshly formatted machine for each trip. We used a VPN and remotely accessed info with file shredding programs to remove any local files and history. There have been a few cases where Canadian lawyers had their gear seized and copied for future review by US customs. This turned into somewhat of a disaster for one lawyer as he had several thousand files that were subject to legal professional privilege copied by US authorities, and some of those cases were against US agencies on human rights abuses - think Gitmo.

[iamariva1957]

I am a US citizen as well. I have traveled the world and have been living for 8 months out of the year here in LOS for the past 3 years. I go back and forth from the US often and have only been stopped, had my bags inspected, computer looked at, and my wallet gone through by the US Customs and Border Control once in all of that time. However, I was not coming from anywhere in South East Asia at all but rather from... ready for this one... London! Why is a mystery. But such is life I guess.

With regards to arriving from Thailand or any other part in this section of the world... well... you can thank the general opinion most have of Thailand as being the sex capital of everywhere and the vacation spot for pedophiles that make the news from time to time. This is nothing new. The agencies that are there to 'protect' have the right to examine and detain a passenger that they feel meet a certain set of criteria... yep... profiling. Whether it is a look on the traveler's face, the way that they are handling themselves, the way that they look, or whatever... these are the flags that are presented to the officer/s who by have a duty to investigate and make sure that everything is on the up and up.

Sure, we can all hate it and even feel that our 'rights' are being affected. But we also have to understand that they have a job to do and one that is not easy and also have a swore duty to preform. No one says that travel is completely easy or ever was or will be. There is really no difference between having to take your shoes off, remove your belt (and then having to hold your pants up while in front of a myriad of other passengers), unpack you laptop, through away that cup of coffee (because it is over the permitted fluid level), remember that pack of gum in your pocket, and then getting body scanned or being asked about your trip by a Customs officer and having your bags checked. It is all part of the 'experience' and the ability to travel where you wanted to.

As a US citizen your rights do not start when you arrive and clear Passport Control or Customs. You are officially on US soil the moment that you enter US airspace or arrive within US territorial waters or have crossed into US territory. Clearing through checks at the airports/ports/land crossings is nothing more than making it official.

We all seem to hate profiling. Sure there are questions as to whether or not it is being abused. But to claim that you rights are being violated is a bit over the top (boy will I get letters on that one!). But at the end of the day, if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to worry about or fear. This is not the movie "North By Northwest". Sex crimes, drug crimes, financial crimes, terrorism, and all the others are issues that the authorities have to take seriously.

Spot checks are part of the system that they use to find the culprits. As much of a pain in the neck as they might be to you personally and as meaningless as they might seem to you (not to mention the waste of time and effort that they might appear to be causing you) they are necessary nowadays. It may not be the best system or always the most fair, but it is all that we have. So be ready. Be patient. Be understanding. Be honest, and above all be polite.

[stoli]

Nothing at all wrong. If their actions catch at least one pedophile, all the privacy violations will be worth it. Imagine if it was your daughter being fiddled by some of the trash you see here in Thailand.

Sounds great to you, until it happens to you. Forget the notion that if you trample the rights of all to catch one pedophile it is all worth it. Why not go back to the days of the Soviet Union where you could search anyone's home on just a whim, no search warrant needed. How would you like someone coming into your home at will and doing a search. Sorry, but if you say "no problem", you are either a fool or a liar. (My apologies to anyone from the former Soviet Union if this was not done. We were taught this in the states during the 50's & 60's.)

Everyone has things at their home, or in their computer that is not illegal, but could be embarrassing, or you just did not want anyone else to know about. We do have a right to privacy and you should not throw this right away. Not ever. Get rid of this notion that your government can step all over your rights just because they want to.

[socksy01]

I'd gladly let them look at my laptop, camera or anything because I've nothing to hide. I went to a swimming pool theme park in Udon Thani with my 5 year old daughter recently. I was sitting alone about 30 metre from the pool whilst my daughter was in there playing. I couldn't join her as I had valuables in a rucksack with me. Two Tourist Police (Thai's) walked past and I think they were suspicious of me as I sat alone with so many kids around. They struck up a brief conversation with me then as one stood beside me the other took a photograph. I suspect that they would return to the 'nick' and check databases for suspicious paedophiles images. I don't think what they done was legal but again I had nothing to hide.

[Suradit69]

Well in the Op's defense it was heavy handed and nothing I have ever had by US immigration/customs in decades. Profiling ? Great idea, but what exactly were they profiling you for? a lot of suggestions but nothing but guess's

Jingthing is of course completely accurate. If you traveled say back in the 70's or 80's (backpacking) you likely had them pull you out and go over everything cause obviously you were a dope smuggler

It's really rather sad to hear the whining and nashing of teeth about profiling. So Obama is profiling you ... with the HSecurity clowns another president put in place .... gosh tell me it aint so ... wussies

"...nothing I have ever had by US immigration/customs in decades. Profiling ? Great idea, but what exactly were they profiling you for? a lot of suggestions but nothing but guess's"

Yes, during the past 4 decades I've returned to the US many times,a couple of times after extended stays in Thailand, twice with airfreight containing household goods sent separately. The air freight went to customs in Chicago and I've entered the country through Miami, LA and NY and never once been given a second look. One time in Miami while I was waiting to collect baggage an agent came up to me, asked me a few questions and pre-cleared me through customs without even eyeballing everything.

So single men entering to the US should be aware that they can be 'profiled' by US Immigration & Customs & the

mere fact of an extended stay in Thailand can be sufficient reason for a low-level clerk to decide to delay &

inconvenience you & violate your privacy.

I suppose the O/P's assumption could be true, but wonder if there's more to it than just what he suggest or maybe it's quite random and he lost the lottery.

I hate flying into or within the US now since everything seems to be such a hassle and customs & immigrations add to that, but I've never experienced anything like the O/P nor have I personally known of anyone else who has.

[iamariva1957]

I actually think it is very heavy handed to subject people to that just based on being single traveling in Thailand. But it is legal. Once you enter the U.S., then it wouldn't be legal without a justified search warrant.

Remember please that entering the US means nothing more than you have entered US Territory. Clearing Passport Control and Customs just makes it official. As for the need of a warrent to search you or your bags at a point of entry (that falls under the control of the Federal Government, Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Control)... not needed. There is something in the law called Probable Cause. This alone can allow a Customs officer to detain you and search your stuff. You can call them on it all you want to. You can refuse and/or deny them their request, demand a lawyer, of course, but in the end a search will be done of not only your bags and belongings but also of you... on a more personal level.You can even take them to Federal Court and sue them afterwards. . That is your right. But be ready to wait. If you have nothing to hide then why do you want to aggravate the situation even more? Just let them do their job and move on.

[stoli]

More times than not, I experience the same treatment when returning to the US via Los Angeles. I get really annoyed by it since I have someone outside waiting to meet me and they will not allow you to use a cell phone to call them. The last time, I was delayed 2 hours waiting my turn to be searched and interrogated. My brother was driving around and around LAX wondering <deleted>. Fortunately, I called him when I landed, and before getting to immigration, to let him know I made it to the airport.

Since they have never found any reason to stop me, I would think they would make a note of it in their computer to no longer "randomly" search me. I even tell the officer that I have been "randomly" selected several times, but they don't care, they are just grunts going through the motions. I asked if I'm on a watch list, and they will not confirm or deny. Anyway, it is not a pleasant way to be welcomed home, to be sure.

Sure this type of action predates Obama, but slowly, the civil rights that Americans have enjoyed in the past are slowly being peeled away, and Obama has accelerated the process.

Oh please give it a rest with the Obama bashing! Everyone's primary human right to stay alive and seek medical care because they can now purchase affordable medical insurance (and not have to rely on charity care) and not die in the streets or be bankrupted by care costs has been enhanced and secured by this man.

With you're attitude, maybe TSA is onto something searching you every time. Like I said, basically I never get the treatment.

There no was Obama bashing going on, but yes, I would imagine an Obama supporter like you consider anything said about Obama is bashing. If you can stand up for Obamacare, then you clearly have not been falling the failure of this program so far. The US does need a comprehensive medical program for it's citizens, but this is not it. Surely anyone can see that. Again though, then is not on topic.

[ajarnmarc]

Easy. If you do not want some federal employee rummaging through every photo your took on your Asian trip, just use the program TrueCrypt....It has two password

levels, and is in essence uncrackable....

http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads

I wasn't aware of such a thing, so Thank you for the info.

I'll be using it just for my home computer,

and unlike what most are posting here,

that if you have nothing to hide,

why a person needs it?

I don't buy into that,

as it shouldn't be about what a person has to hide,

it should be about a person having the wright to protect what he/she has,

and control what's available for others to see.

Don't think many want everyone seeing their home videos or photos which are taken with their spouses,

do they?

Or are we not allowed to make/have them,

and keep them as private memories?

People will probably say sure, just not to travel with them,

but for some, a laptop is the only computer they have.

I personally gave up on laptops a long time ago,

but for others it could be a real concern with what you have stored on it.

The thing people are missing here; I think is,

what about your account info?

I won't be long before it will be out that a persons financial data was stolen from them,

by a quick search conducted by an official.

After all the TSA haven't been above or exempt of corruption to date,

and it appears that it's become the norm for our data to be sold to whoever cares to pay for it.

Privacy is becoming harder & harder to protect,

with individuals coming out lobbing that if a person has nothing to hide, then they have no worries.

Well we don't have anything to hide on our credit cards, but we certainly worry about them all the time,

don't we?

In todays age, everything appears to be for sell,

even our e-mail addresses, and soon our phone numbers if not already, for which the later can now be used to locate our position.

It all boils down to privacy,

and the organizations behind terrorism have seemed to found a way for everyone but themselves, to be stripped of that basic privilege.

[iamariva1957]

How do you suggest they catch pedophiles without invading innocent peoples' privacy? I had my laptop searched 2 years back and there were a lot of questions asked about my arm around 2 5 year old hill tribe girls. I answered truthfully and never felt my privacy was violated as I had nothing to hide. It always seems to be guilty people that are first to question the legalities over wiretaps, searches and so on.

I love it. Question the limits of government power and to some people, that makes you guilty. Oy vey!

Yes, it's the old "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" canard trotted out by all paid-up totalitarians to justify their intrusive policies.

Free limitless travel without any checks without any rule of law being a part of said travel. How wonderful that would be. Right.... But the reality seems to be beyond you. So called intrusive policies, laws, checks are things that are required in today's world. It is unfortunate that it has been the case for a hell of a long time now. Watch the news one day and then tell me that being vigilant is not needed, or that the screening of bags is not needed, or that people who meet a certain 'profile' should not be stopped and questioned for the safety of others? So the old saying is as true today as it has always been and as it always will be. If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear. This is not the film "North By Northwest".

[luis888]

dont be so touchy. if you have nothing to hide and as long as the staff are polite and you are not delayed too long what's the problem? they are just doing their job.

if they do manage to catch paedophiles isn't the safety and protection of vulnerable children worth a a small inconvenience on your behalf?

Aaaahh "the land of the free......."

I wonder how "understanding" you'd be if you were singled out like the previous poster.

As for informing people, The guys that actually have something to hide know how to hide it they don't read TV for tips on how to do it.

If something like this was happening in Thailand i wonder how many posters would be so "understanding" and "civil" about their replies

Edited February 17, 2014 by luis888

[EyesWideOpen]

Easy. If you do not want some federal employee rummaging through every photo your took on your Asian trip, just use the program TrueCrypt....It has two password

levels, and is in essence uncrackable....

http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads

If you are selected for enhanced screening and if it's a full electronics review as well, if such a encrypted file, folder, or container is found on any of your electronic devices and you refuse to decrypt it yourself or provide the password, you can be sure the device will be confiscated for further detailed forensic analysis. It may be months or never before you are allowed to retrieve the device. You can also be assured that your name will be entered into the CBP system and you will be chosen for enhances screening on any subsequent entries into the United States. However, the CBP cannot force you to reveal your password and there is no fine/penalty for failing to do so (other than getting on the list).

This can be a real problem for business people who need to protect propriety business data when they travel or for ordinary travelers financial, banking, and tax date they may wish to protect. The best solution is to have a "clean" traveling with minimal or no protected data on it and so that if they demand to see the encrypted data, one can decide to reveal it or refuse and the data/device loss is minimal.

Not a problem. True crypt first encrypts the entire drive. Then you load your data into it. There are two password levels. So when asked you simply provide the first sort of throw away password, so that will have a folder with few racy photos you say you wanted to protect. Your real data is behind another password. Also the way the drive is encrypted, when doing a folder search by a utility program, no data is seen. The drive will appear to be empty. I agree with another poster, am sure the kiddie fiddlers are using the cloud. I would not want federal agents looking through my house for illegal stuff, and I certainly do not want them poking through all my data.

[movsrus]

Nothing at all wrong. If their actions catch at least one pedophile, all the privacy violations will be worth it. Imagine if it was your daughter being fiddled by some of the trash you see here in Thailand.

Using your logic then it is correct for the NSA to record all phone conversations and to review any email you may send. This is merely another step on the road to complete elimination of our constitutionally guaranteed rights to privacy. If government agents have reasonable suspicion they can get a warrant issued by a court and look at what they think is illegal. To allow these ignorant McDonald's grill master types to paw through an individuals personal effects is completely wrong. Freedom is on the wane in America and is being replaced by the fascists and money people who are the ones who run the government. Government by the people is a joke- its all about power and money.

[BangkokWilliams2]

Welcome to the land of the free !!!!

No further comment!

[mdmayes]

No different in Canada as well. I went through the same thing my 2nd visit to Thailand. Almost missed my connecting flight because of the officer looked at every one of my thousands of photos...man did he looked bored. Been to Thailand and Cambodia 3 times since and no problems these other times. So I think they check a person out once and then put you in system indicating you were clear of any infractions/watch list and look for a real ped.

[movsrus]

How do you suggest they catch pedophiles without invading innocent peoples' privacy? I had my laptop searched 2 years back and there were a lot of questions asked about my arm around 2 5 year old hill tribe girls. I answered truthfully and never felt my privacy was violated as I had nothing to hide. It always seems to be guilty people that are first to question the legalities over wiretaps, searches and so on.

Dream on you idiot. Soon you will bemoan the loss of your rights and will have no one to blame but yourself.

[cgphuket]

Yes, Its good to screen forcriminals (Every white man in Asia must be a pedo). However, if you happen to have racey pics of your 22 year old Thai gf and some affirmative action DHS employee decides she looks 15, your life is basically over, even if your cleared.

[phuketrichard]

So now you decided to warn pedos and smugglers.

anyone doing anything like this knows they might be searched.

I fly every year to sfo an have been customarily searched ( bags which took 5 minutes) once.He told me they check every 12-15th person.

Evey time they see where i have traveled i live in Thailand travel often to Camboida, laos, Malaysia) and the only questions i get are, "how do u like it"

I don't agree with being able, without due cause, to search u ( same they can stop ur car an perform a search), but really ur not IN America til you clear customs and they can do whatever they want with you.

[Mario2008]

1 post removed as off topic.

This is not about the Obama administration.

[CaptHaddock]

The issue in searching computers without probable cause is not merely "profiling." It is that there is no compelling reason for a US citizen to be deprived of his Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search or seizure. The rationale for the TSA in the first place was to protect against terrorist attacks on or using airplanes. The case can be made that searches designed to protect air travelers have a compelling need that overrides privacy protections. How could that be the case with catching pedophiles, who would not appear to present an immediate threat to the safety of their fellow passengers? Undoubtedly, unconstitutional searches of computers in the absence of probable cause and court authorization would be effective in apprehending sex offenders. However, all constitutional protections of the individual probably reduce the effectiveness of unbrideled law enforcement. Why should not the TSA use the opportunities present by pre-boarding searches to apprehend other law breakers, such as father delinquent in child support, citizens who have not filed their income tax returns, parking ticket scofflaws, government officials who have lied to Congress, etc.?

[thhMan]

Nothing at all wrong. If their actions catch at least one pedophile, all the privacy violations will be worth it. Imagine if it was your daughter being fiddled by some of the trash you see here in Thailand.

I agree... You are guilty first and its up to you and your wife and children to explain to the customs officers that you dont touch children's private parts... If your traveling alone, then you have a bigger battle.

God forbid you visited a friend while in Thailand and had some happy snaps of his family and Thai kids enjoying a splash at the pool or beach.

If your then charged, you need to contact your friend in Thailand and get them to explain the situation.

After a few months in jail, your innocence may be proved and your free to go.

I agree... there is nothing wrong with their actions at all!

[jpmerlin]

yes i have the same probleme in san francisco airport because i have visa from laos and thailand on my passport, i mess my connecting plane to phoenix...

[sgtsabai]

Nothing but Gestapo and Kabuki theater at US airports. When I had to fly back and forth from Thailand to US I was subject to search more often than not, but never the more intrusive 'back room' search. Was on my way out of the Gestapo area and to the lounge once when a young rookie type stopped me just for the hell of it. Bad attitude from the git-go. Where you been, Thailand. What did you do, See my wife. What is her name, None of your damn business. Go over there. Stood in line with some Asia people until another agent showed up. Got most of the way through the perfunctory search, he knew what had happened, when something happened elsewhere and all the Gestapo were gone. Now I'm looking at not only not getting to the lounge for a drink, but missing flight. I was saved by an older agent that had to have been a First Sergeant, he had that 'command stature'. He noticed my 1stMarDiv lapel pin as he walked by, came over explained there was a problem, extremely polite, called an airline rep and said make sure this man does not miss his flight. Agent returned, had a brief conversation with the First Sergeant type, said thank you, sorry for the delay and bye bye. And yea, I'd react the same again, the punk Gestapo was wrong. On an earlier trip, before wife, I was subject to an excellent interrogator once, the search was quick and perfunctory. She wasn't looking for pedophiles, (and I don't believe they are) and I'm not sure of what exactly she was doing except working on a profile build. She saw some pictures taken at a party in Pattaya, yea they were pretty raunchy, said I hope they are all of legal age, I said yes mam they certainly are. She closed the album and said I don't need to look at these. I realized within 30 seconds she was doing an interrogation and she realized about 5 seconds afterward that I knew. I had been a cop and taken classes from FBI (fumbling bureau of idiots) on interrogation. All in all she was excellent at her job, and didn't delay me more than 5 minutes. Most people would have never known they were being interrogated. I've had a lot more experiences entering and even leaving the Corporate Police State of Amerika, most not so pleasant. I haven't been back in almost 4 years and hope to never have to return. I don't know what country it is now, but it certainly isn't the country I grew up believing in, more like the countries we learned that were the bad guys. It may be the law, the so-called courts may even say it is legal, but what they do at border crossings isn't right and isn't Constitutional. The only ones with rights are the rich/powerful.

[Smokin Joe]

It's completely legal and pre-dates Obama.

A little defensive JT?

Does seem a little defensive about Obama but correct.

It's been challenged as it is a violation of the 4th amendment to the constittution. The courts basically said that you lose your constitutional right on leaving the country and don't get them back until after clearing customs.

[JLCrab]

Nothing at all wrong. If their actions catch at least one pedophile, all the privacy violations will be worth it. Imagine if it was your daughter being fiddled by some of the trash you see here in Thailand.

I agree... You are guilty first and its up to you and your wife and children to explain to the customs officers that you dont touch children's private parts... If your traveling alone, then you have a bigger battle.

God forbid you visited a friend while in Thailand and had some happy snaps of his family and Thai kids enjoying a splash at the pool or beach.

If your then charged, you need to contact your friend in Thailand and get them to explain the situation.

After a few months in jail, your innocence may be proved and your free to go.

I agree... there is nothing wrong with their actions at all!

I agree ... sure sounds like fear & intimidation to me.

[sillymonkey]

It's completely legal and pre-dates Obama.

A little defensive JT?

Does seem a little defensive about Obama but correct.

It's been challenged as it is a violation of the 4th amendment to the constittution. The courts basically said that you lose your constitutional right on leaving the country and don't get them back until after clearing customs.

This is not about one person it's about the violation of the U.S. Constitution that many have given their lives to defend.