Customs now has the right to read your correspondence in phones and laptops

Фото: Depositphotos

The US Customs and Border Protection Service (CBP) said it had updated the rules by which agents can inspect travelers' phones and laptops, writes SF Gate.

First, SVR employees can view the information contained on the device itself, but cannot use the devices to access cloud storage.

Secondly, employees cannot make any changes to the contents of the device.

Also, SVR employees can use other equipment to access the electronic device and view, copy, analyze its contents, but only if there is “objective suspicion of illegal activity and with the approval of the manual”.

Information retrieval should be carried out in the presence of the device owner, unless there are special circumstances that make it inappropriate.

It is noted that travelers "are obliged to provide electronic devices and the information contained in them, as well as passwords that make viewing information available." The customs officer may ask the owner of the device to provide an access code or "contact other technical assistance to gain access."

Agents have the right to “delay” electronic devices for a “short” reasonable period. This time must not exceed 5 days.

It is noted that in 2017, agents of the SVR searched 30 200 of electronic devices, in 2016, 19 051.

Earlier, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the SVR, stating that some customs officers confiscated travelers' phones and did not give them away from several weeks to several months. One of the travelers pulled the phone out of his pocket when he refused to give the device for inspection. The ACLU asked the court to prohibit agents from inspecting electronic devices if there is no corresponding warrant or reason for these actions.

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