Information Society Watch

June 20, 2007, Ryan Singel, Wired Magazine

Laptops have become ubiquitous tools nowadays and an increasing number of people now travel with these machines. A recent case in which an individual's laptop's contents was electronically examined at the border is now being debated in a California court to determine whether such searches are legally tenable. While the government argues that such random searches, which involve detailed scanning of personal information, are an instrument in its fight against terrorists and unlawful elements, others contend that this is akin to electronic eavesdropping without having any prior suspicion, which is illegal. The case has now become a litmus test for defining the limits and conditions for such examinations and will set a defining standard for protection of personal information and privacy for citizens.

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