[Advisors] Crossing the border with electronic devices

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:23:41 -0500

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    Do you carry an electronic device when crossing over the border? If
    you do, you need to think about more than roaming and long distance
    charges. Be cautious of what information on the device might be
    disclosed to border authorities.<br>
    <br>
    We all carry electronic devices of some type, be it laptops,
    tablets, iPads, iPhones, BlackBerries, cellphones and so on. All of
    these devices are capable of storing large amounts of information.
    This is of special concern when you use the electronic device for
    work - in addition to any personal information, the device likely
    contains confidential work information, and possibly personal health
    information and personal information that we would like to keep
    confidential.<br>
    <br>
    Also of concern are storage media like CDs and USB drives -
    especially if you are taking information to a conference or a
    meeting. And the media may store other unrelated information as
    well. Be aware that border authorities of all countries (including
    Canada) reserve the right to take your electronic device and to
    review the data on it. This includes emails, text messages,
    telephone numbers called, contact lists, photos and documents. They
    may keep your device for the purpose of downloading data for further
    review, and some countries may even take the opportunity to install
    tracking software.<br>
    <br>
    <i>So what can you do?</i><br>
    <br>
    1. First, always remember that border authorities are authorized by
    law to inspect your electronic device. Therefore, always comply with
    the law and with the authorities' demands for your device.<br>
    <br>
    2. If you are planning to cross a border, take a moment to reflect
    on what electronic devices you have with you, and whether you really
    need to take them into another country. This is especially important
    for work-related electronic devices - is the use you plan to make of
    them worth the risk of information on the devices being disclosed to
    border authorities? For example, if you are not planning to incur
    roaming charges, does your work BlackBerry have to go with you on
    the weekend trip to Fargo? Couldn't you take the USB key off of your
    keychain and leave it at home?<br>
    <br>
    3. Reflect on the data contained in the device. Is it highly
    sensitive? Could it viewed by the law enforcement authorities as
    possibly illegal? Is it something that you would find personally
    embarrassing if others saw it? The border is not the right time to
    assert that your iPad contains personal health information - perhaps
    you should have thought of that before you left home.<br>
    <br>
    4. If you are taking a device across the border, especially a
    storage device such as a CD Or USB key, see what data can be deleted
    first. That way, you minimize the information that could be exposed.
    Keep in mind that simply deleting a file does not actually remove
    the data from those who really want to find it! You may want to use
    a data-scrubber utility to completely wipe your device and then load
    only the minimum information you must have. <br>
    <br>
    5. In the unlikely event that the border authorities take temporary
    possession of your device, and you lose sight of it for any period
    of time, don't turn it back on or use it until you confirmed that
    nothing was installed by those authorities.<br>
    <br>
    We all take devices across the border. We need to be mindful of the
    risks and take appropriate steps to protect any sensitive
    information on those devices.<br>
    <br>
    Here is a <u>REALLY</u> helpful reference document. It is Canadian
    and may not fully apply to the Paranoid States of America where all
    rights to privacy have vanished under their so-called "Patriot Act".<br>
    <blockquote><b><a
href="http://bccla.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-BCCLA-Report-Electronic-Devices-Handbook.pdf">ELECTRONIC
          DEVICES - PRIVACY HANDBOOK - A GUIDE TO YOUR RIGHTS</a></b><br>
    </blockquote>
    <br>
    <br>
    <div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
      <i>&#8220;The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance &#8212; it is
        the illusion of knowledge.&#8221;</i> - Daniel Boorstin
      <p><i>&#8220;Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about
          things that matter.&#8221;</i> - MLK</p>
      <p>#astron6</p>
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