Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

delmaracer

Mar 11, 2009, 8:46 PM

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lonely

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Gee, would somebody please post something here?

hehe
delmar bob

Bethie

Mar 12, 2009, 4:20 AM

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Re: [delmaracr] lonely

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OK
When flying to Mexico with your laptop in your carry on, do they (customs) take you lap top and search the files? I was just wondering if I should cleanse my computer and make sure that none of my automatic passwords, etc. are enabled.
Bethie

johanson / Moderator

Mar 12, 2009, 7:01 AM

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Re: [Bethie] lonely

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I have been told that they have the right to do so. But I have never heard of it happening. And it sure would have the topic of the computer club etc, if it ever happened to anyone. Same thing goes for my iTouch.

Brian

Mar 12, 2009, 11:51 AM

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Re: [johanson] lonely

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/...5/computing.security

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 12, 2009, 12:12 PM)

Papirex

Mar 12, 2009, 2:49 PM

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Re: [Bethie] lonely

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I was a little concerned when I learned that the US customs agents had the authority to search laptops a few years ago. I have nothing to hide, but I was worried about hassles and delays. When I made my first trip NOB under the new rules, when I placed my laptop in a backpack on the chute to take it through the X-ray machine, a customs agent put his hand on it and asked if there was a laptop in it?

When I answered yes, he asked me to take it out of the backpack. When I had removed it from the backpack, I asked him if he wanted me to start it. He said no, that is not necessary.

When making a few subsequent trips, I now just take the laptop out of the pack, and set it on top of it. It then goes through the X-ray normally with no problems. It is a non-event. I have never been asked to start it or to open the monitor lid.

It might be a concern if somebody fits the profile of a bad guy, but for most of us, it is nothing to be worried about. The possibility of a search of a laptop is only for trips into The US, there are no examinations of them when entering México, except for the normal X-ray scans.
Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

(This post was edited by Papirex on Mar 12, 2009, 2:51 PM)

Bethie

Mar 12, 2009, 3:58 PM

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Re: [Papirex] lonely

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Brian and Papirex
Thanks so very much for the information and the article. Very useful stuff indeed!
Bethie

JohnnyBoy

Mar 17, 2009, 12:36 PM

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Re: [Bethie] lonely

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I have been following a very long thread on another forum/board in which the participants have been discussing the shabby (major understatement) treatment some of them have received during "secondary" searches while crossing the border into Arizona at Nogales. I do not recall if this was the downtown or the truck crossing, or possibly both.

While the main crux of the discussion was about the abysmal treatment received, mention was made of computers, and that they are subject to search and seizure, as are jump drives, external harddrives, and all other electronic data storage devices, and they need virtually zero reason or cause to do it. You will get a receipt and someday you might get your computer back.

And, just as authorities who conduct searches are frequently not very careful how they handle and treat the items, cars, houses, they are searching, you ought not expect your computer or other device be returned to you in the same condition you relinquished it.

The stories and complaints written on that forum on this subject have convinced me to make sure I have my laptop thoroughly backed up and I leave the backup at home. I remove anything and everything I would not want my mother to see, as well as any financial or any other sensitive information. I guess a good rule of thumb would be, if you would not like to see the information displayed under your name publicly on some blog or website, remove it before you cross the border, whether on the ground, or by air.

There is a push among some of the participants of the forum I refer to to document their experiences at the border. The consul in Hermosillo has been informed and was apparently not impressed. Others have contacted congressional representatives and received little or no satisfaction. It is the Patriot Act and with that act went away many of the rights we were used to. No point getting huffy and officious about any of it. It won't do any good. The authorities need no special reason to detain you or to search your computer, your person, your luggage, your vehicle.

I hope this is limited to the border crossing in Nogales, but I am not holding my breath.