The Paradox of Vision

Via Neil Gaiman's blog, an interesting piece tonight from the LA Times concerning your privacy. Earlier this summer, while reading Cory Doctorow's latest, Little Brother, I thought his description of hiding his laptop data was pretty neat. Now, I'm thinking it wasn't just neat, it's necessary.

Did you know that the rules for probable cause and search warrants don't apply to your electronics when you enter the United States? By the current standards, customs agents can search through and copy any data they find on your laptop or any other portable electronic device. In their eyes, it's akin to searching your luggage. There's not a damned thing you can do about it either, short of turning your ass around and leaving. If they let you, that is. (Insert evil laugh here)

Apparently, the Department of Homeland Insecurity doesn't even disclose all of the policies and details about what they are looking for and what the criteria for searches is. Luckily, Sen. Russ Feingold wants to find out. (Aren't you glad there are a few democrats who care if your rights are trampled?) The Electronic Frontier Foundation, as always, is also filing suit to have the information made public.

Check out the article. Also, read Cory Doctorow's book. Although it's marketed to teens, everyone who touches a computer should read it. Seriously, this shit is not inconceivable.