Laptop searches draw congressional scrutiny

Judi Hasson — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:33:58 -0400

Business and civil rights groups have gone to Congress complaining about a federal policy--upheld by the courts--that permits border patrol agents and customs officials to search the laptops of U.S. citizens when they re-enter the country without obtaining a warrant, or even having probable cause. At a recent hearing of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, Susan K. Gurley, executive director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, said the seizing of laptops is tantamount to searching someone's office. "In today's wired, networked and borderless world, one's office no longer sits within four walls or a cubicle; rather, one's office consists of a collection of mobile electronic devices such as a laptop, a BlackBerry, PDA, and a cell phone," said Gurley. She warned that the lack of regulations and oversight leaves individuals and their companies with little recourse, and in danger of having sensitive information needlessly accessed.

For more on this controversial policy:
- check out the New York Times article