Traveller Security and Data Privacy

"Where does it go? Is it shared? Is it stored? Is it destroyed? Does it go into the ether somewhere in the bowels of the U.S. government?"

Increased tensions around the globe have forced government agencies and law enforcement bodies to implement physical and virtual protection mechanisms for improving the safety of civilians, as well as the protection of information. In this new security environment, travellers have had to react and adjust to new technical and compliance requirements that many times impede the conduct of business.

Traveller Security and Data Privacy Issues:

• Laptop and Electronic Device Seizures
• REAL ID
• Biometric Data Collection at U.S. Airports
  
• U.S. DHS ESTA Program
• U.S. Global Entry Program
• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

Latest News

• ACTE Calls for Industry Support of Powerful New Bill That Guarantees Travelers' Rights in Laptop Seizures at U.S. Borders
• “Travelers’ Privacy Protection Act of 2008” (Senate bill S. 3612 and House bill H.R. 7118), introduced by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)
  

LAPTOP AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE SEIZURES

IMPORTANT NEWS

ACTE Calls for Industry Support of Powerful New Bill That Guarantees Travelers' Rights in Laptop Seizures at U.S. Borders

“Travelers’ Privacy Protection Act of 2008” (Senate bill S. 3612 and House bill H.R. 7118), introduced by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)

The Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection has released policies outlining border and customs agent protocol for seizing and searching laptops, other electronic devices, and the data stored on them.

ACTE: DHS and CBP Guidelines for Laptop Seizure Procedures Partial Victory for Business Traveler

ACTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUSAN GURLEY TESTIFIES AT HEARING BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

"Laptop Searches and Other Violations of Privacy Faced by Americans Returning from Overseas Travel"

Click here to view a webcast of the hearing.

Read More Testimony and Statements

The Honorable Senator Patrick Leahy (D - VT)
Chairman
Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on the Constitution

James Jay Carafano, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies
Senior Research Fellow, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies
The Heritage Foundation

Larry Cunningham
Assistant District Attorney, Bronx County
(Starting 7/1/08) Assistant Professor of Legal Writing, St. John’s University School of Law

Susan Gurley
Executive Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives

Farhana Khera
President and Executive Director
Muslim Advocates

Nathan A. Sales
Assistant Professor of Law
George Mason University School of Law

Peter P. Swire
Professor, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Lee Tien
Senior Staff Attorney
Electronic Frontier Foundation

Laptop & Electronic Device Seizure Information

News

• internetnews.com: Press Release: Arbitrary Seizure of Travelers' Laptops Ending?
  
• Travel Daily News: ACTE calls for industry support on new laptop seizure bill
• ACTE Calls for Industry Support of Powerful New Bill That Guarantees Travelers' Rights in Laptop Seizures at U.S. Borders
• “Travelers’ Privacy Protection Act of 2008” (Senate bill S. 3612 and House bill H.R. 7118), introduced by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin)
• eWeek: Bill Targets Laptop, Mobile Device Search and Seizures
• InformationWeek: DHS Report Says Leave Laptops at Home
• Miami Herald: Prepare for laptop searches by U.S. customs
• Jayson Ahern, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Says, "Laptop Inspections Legal, Rare, Essential"
  
• PC Magazine: Feingold: On What Basis Are Laptops Searched?
• San Francisco Chronicle: Commentary: Hello, Fourth Ammendment?
• ABTN: Laptop Seizures at U.S. Borders
• Washington Times: SULLUM: File Keppers
• Courier-Journal: Government Officials Could Seize Your Laptops and iPod
• Security Management: Chertoff Says Laptop Border Searches Based on Suspicion
• ASTA SmartBrief: Government's move to publish rules on laptop seizures hailed...Read More
• Watertown Daily Times: Computer Searches - Congress Should Establish Guidelines...Read More
• 23 July 2008 - United States Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to regulate the searches and seizures of laptops, electronic device, and other proprietary data at the U.S. border.  Known as H.R. 6588, the legislation has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee for Review.  To read the full text of the proposed legislation, please click here.
• The Washington Post: Travelers' Laptops May Be Detained at Borders...Read More
• American Anthropological Association Letter Addresses Laptop Searches at US Customs
• USA Today Editorial Board Supports ACTE's Position on Laptop, Electronic Device, and Proprietary Data Seizures
  
• The New York Times Editorial Board Supports ACTE's Position on Laptop, Electronic Device, and Proprietary Data Seizures
• United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff takes opposing view in USA Today
• ACTE Executive Director Susan Gurley discusses laptop and electronic device seizures on C-SPAN's Washington Journal - Click here to watch the video
• USA Today: Electronics subject to search at border...Read More
  
• Tuscon Citizen: U.S. laptop searches raise privacy issues...Read More
  
• DelawareOnline: Computer seizures at border are lawful...Read More
  
• The Baltimore Sun: Agents can randomly seize travelers' laptops or PDAs...Read More
  
• The Philadelphia Inquirer: Winging It: Worries about traveling with your laptop...Read More
  
• Security Management:Americans Returning from Overseas Find Their Electronic Devices Searched and Seized...Read More
• ImagingInfo.com: Laptop Searches in Airports Draw Fire at Senate Hearing...Read More
  
• Mobile Tech Today: Laptop Searches Assailed as Illegal, Unethical...Read More
  
• NewsFactor.com: Laptop Searches Assailed as Illegal, Unethical...Read More
  
• ITBusinessEdge: 'Anything to Declare' Has Ominous Overtones in the Modern Era...Read More
  
• UPI.com: Congress hears outcry over laptop grabs...Read More
  
• The Ledger: Laptop Searches in Airports Draw Fire at Senate Hearing...Read More
  
• Expo: Senate reviews rules regarding laptop seizures from travelers...Read More
  
• The Lost Angeles Times: Laptop seizures at customs raise outcry…Read More
  
• The New York Times: Laptop Searches in Airports Draw Fire at Senate Hearing…Read More
  
• Houston Chronicle: Senate panel questions border agents’ seizures of laptops…Read More
  
• Detroit Free Press: Border agents seizing laptops, witnesses report…Read More
  
• The Tennessean: Lawmakers join fight against Customs agents’ seizure of laptops…Read More
  
• Sacramento Bee: Border seizures of laptops, cameras get Senate panel’s scrutiny…Read More
  
• International Herald Tribune: Laptop searches at U.S. airports draw fire at Senate hearing…Read More
  
• The Lost Angeles Times: Welcome back to the United States. Now lets see what’s on your laptop…Read More
  
• McClatchy: U.S. border agents copying contents of travelers’ laptops…Read More
  
• U.S. News & World Report: Seizing Laptops and Cameras Without Cause...Read More
• Macworld: Senators question border laptop searches…Read More
  
• PC World: Senators Question Border Laptop Searches…Read More
  
• TMCnet: Senate panel hears testimony about border agents’ seizure of electronic data…Read More
  
• TelecomTV: Customs and exercise…Read More
  
• Yahoo! News: Seizing Laptops and Cameras Without Cause…Read More
  
• Yahoo! Tech: Senators Question Border Laptop Searches…Read More
  
• The Raw Story: Feingold: Bush admin secrecy can’t outweigh travelers’ privacy…Read More
  
• MSN Latino: EEU confisca datos de laptops de viajeros…Read More
  
• Yahoo! Tech: Senate Committee Debates Right to Search Laptops…Read More
  
• The New York Sun: Customs Agents Copy Travelers’ Laptop, Phone Data…Read More
  
• Yahoo! Telemundo: Experto: EEU confisca datos de laptops de viajeros…Read More
  
• ComputerWorld: Senators question border laptop searches…Read More
  
• IT Examiner: US laptop seizures under Microscope…Read More
  
• NextGov: Groups to warn panel about economic effect of seizing laptops…Read More
  
• The Nashua Telegraph: Laptops become the usual suspects for US customs…Read More
• Government Executive: Groups to warn panel about economic effect of seizing laptops...Read More
  
• PointofLaw.com: Would you please boot up your laptop...Read More
• ABTN: ACTE targets laptop rule...Read More
• IndiaPost: June 2008 Immigration Update Part II...Read More
• NextGov: Hill told privacy laws must be updated to protect the public...Read More
• NextGov: Groups ask court to reverse ruling, limit laptop searches at border...Read More
• Slashdot: EFF To Fight Border Agent Laptop Searches...Read More
• ArsTechnica: EFF, others fighting privacy-invading border laptop searches...Read More
  
• Information Week: Business, Cyber Liberties Groups Fight Laptop Searches...Read More
• Yahoo! Tech: Business, Cyber Liberties Groups Fight Laptop Searches...Read More
• TMCNet: Business, Cyber Liberties Groups Fight Laptop Searches...Read More
  
• Groups Ask Court to Review Laptop Searches
  • PC World...Read World
  • Yahoo! Tech...Read More
  • CIO...Read More
  • Macro*World Investor...Read Mor
• YubaNet: Judges Urged to Curtail Random Searches of Travelers' Laptops...Read More
• Electronic Frontier Foundation: Judges Urged to Curtail Random Searches of Travelers' Laptops...Read More
  
• Red Orbit: Appeals Court Upholds Customs Data Dump...Read More
• ACTE President Richard Crum Speaks with WTOP News Radio about Laptop Seizures
  • Clip 1
  • Clip 2
• ACTE Executive Director Susan Gurley speaks about Laptop Seizures (Video Clip)
• TechRepublic.com: Should I leave the laptop at home? That should be a policy decision...Read More
  
• PC World: Business Travelers Advised to Leave Data at Home...Read More
  
• ZDNet Government: Travel Execs on Laptop Ruling...Read More
• Free Society Institute: U.S. Government Again Violating Civil Rights...Read More
• Mike McAllen's Real Visions: U.S. Court: Laptops Can Be Seized Without Cause at Borders...Read More
• Big Mouth Strikes Again: Flying to the U.S. on Business? Leave Your Laptop at Home...Read More
  
• GlobalAutoIndustry.com: U.S. federal court decision supports traveller laptop seizures...Read More
• MeetingsNet: U.S. Court: Laptops Can Be Seized Without Cause at Borders...Read More
• The Register: Your personal data just got permanently cached at the US border...Read More
• PC World: Travel group warns: Corporate data at risk from laptop searches at border (See News Item Seven)...Read More
• Security Focus: Groups warn travelers to limit laptop data...Read More
• ars technica: Groups want Congressional hearings on border laptop searches...Read More
  
• Travel Trade Gazette: US courts uphold 'laptop search' law...Read More
  
• ComputerWorld: Travel group warns: Corporate data at risk from laptop searches at border...Read More
  
• Business Travel News: Laptop Bans Driving Mobile Payment Demand...Read More
  
• Goteborgs-Posten: Gransvakter kollar din dator (Article in Swedish)...Read More
  
• Metro Teknik: USA far kopiera hela din dator vid grasen (Article in Swedish)...Read More
  
• The Hindu Business Line: Going to US? Your laptops are in for search...Read More
  
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Laptops can be searched at the borders...Read More
  
• Information Week: Border Agents can Search Laptops WIthout Cause, Court Rules...Read More
  
• Orlando Sentinel: Biz travelers beware: agents can seize laptops...Read More
  
• Gizmodo.com: Border Agents Can Frisk Your Laptop and Gadgets Without Cause...Read More
• Caymanian Compass: Laptops can be searched at US borders...Read More
  
• Technology Review: Verdachtsgrund Laptop (Article in German)...Read More
  
• The Ottawa Citizen: Privacy, in the digital age...Read More
• NPR: Suit Accuses Homeland Security of Illegal Searches...Read More
• Computerworld: 5 things you need to know about laptop searches at U.S. borders...Read More
• CNN: Suit: Airport searches of laptops, other devices intrusive...Read More
• Der Spiegel: US-Zöllner durchstöbern Laptops und Handys (Article in German)...Read More
• USA Today: Groups want feds to disclose policies for seizing, copying travelers' computers...Read More
• ACS Blog: Border Searches of Electronic Devices...Read More
• The Washington Post: Clarity Sought on Electronics Searches: U.S. Agents Seize Travelers' Devices (Free Registration Required)...Read More
• The Inquirer: US challenged over laptop seizures...Read More
• iTnews: Debate Over Laptop Seizures Heats Up...Read More
• Wired: What's in a Laptop? Court Ponders Legality of Border Searches...Read More
• Technology News Daily: ACTE Files Amicus Brief in Laptop Seizure Case, US 9th Circuit Court...Read More
• Los Angeles Times: Laptop seizure raises concerns over firms' data...Read More
• New York Times: At U.S. Borders, Laptops Have No Right to Privacy...Read More
• CNN: No privacy for laptops...Read More

ACTE News

• ACTE and EFF Seek Reversal of Laptop Seizure Decision in Second Amicus Brief...Read More
• ACTE and EFF Seek Congressional Hearings on Laptop Seizures...Read More
  
• U.S. Federal Court Decision Supports Traveller Laptop Seizures...Read More
  
• ACTE Survey Shows Threat of Laptop Seizure at U.S. Borders Still Unknown to International Business Travelers...Read More
• Traveling Abroad with Laptop Computers and Other Electronic Media: What You Need to Know...Read More
• Risk of Laptop Seizure by Customs or Border Patrol Officers Impacts International Corporate Privacy...Read More
• Canada Laptop Q & A ... Read More

U.S. Senator and 2008 Presidential Candidate John McCain (R-AZ) thinks David Letterman looks like a guy whose laptop would be seized by the authorities.

REAL ID

Jennifer Tyree accepts the 2008 ACTE President's Award on behalf of U.S. Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka (D-HI) for his his work on the Identification Security Enhancement Act (S. 717), which is recognized as the best alternative to REAL ID.

Information

• REAL ID Act of 2005, H.R. 418...Read More
• United States Department of Homeland Security REAL ID Program...Read More
• U.S. States Granted Extensions on the 11 May 2008 REAL ID Implementation Deadline...Read More
• REAL ID Final Rule...Read More
  
• REAL ID Questions and Answers...Read More

News Articles

• Modern Agent: ACTE Unveils Honors at Annual Conference ... Read More
• TTG Live: Award honours Acte founding member ... Read More
• 
  
• Beat the Chip: Executive Travel Organization Urges Repeal of REAL ID...Read More
• Think Tank West: ACTE Endorses REAL ID Repeal...Read More
• Meetings Industry Megasite: ACTE Urges Repeal of REAL ID...Read More
• Management.travel: Some State Driver Licenses May Not Suffice As ID at Airports...Read More
• e-Travel Blackboard: ACTE Calls For One Year Delay On Initial Phase of Real ID Implementation...Read More
• Travel Daily News: ACTE calls for one year delay on initial phase of real ID implementation...Read More
• Cato Institute: Business Travel Group Seeks Change to REAL ID...Read More

ACTE News

• ACTE Presents U.S. Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka with Association's Highest Award...Read More
• ACTE Calls For One Year Delay On Initial Phase of Real ID Implementation...Read More
• ACTE Requests Repeal of REAL ID and Endorses The Identification Security Enhancement Act in Written Testimony…Read More

BIOMETRIC DATA COLLECTION AT U.S. AIRPORTS

Information

• Notice of Public Hearing: Friday, June 13, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT
  
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website about this issue
• Read the DHS ruling
• DHS Proposes Biometric Airport and Seaport Exit Procedures
  

News Articles

• Travel Agent Central: Industry Unites to Oppose DHS Exit Rule Mandate...Read More
• Kiplinger: Battle Brewing over Fingerprinting Proposal...Read More
• e-Travel Blackboard: ACTE also to oppose new US biometric screening ... Read More
• TTG Live: Acte and Iata oppose US biometric proposal ... Read More

ACTE News

• ACTE Joins IATA in Opposition to DHS Biometric Program...Read More
• ACTE: Latest DHS Rulemaking Shifts Unfair Cost to Airlines...Read More

U.S. DHS ESTA PROGRAM

Information

• Remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
• Changes to the Visa Waiver Program to Implement the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Program, Interim Final Rule
• Frequently Asked Questions: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
• Fact Sheet: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
• DHS Announces Pre-Travel Authorization Program for U.S.-Bound Travelers from Visa Waiver Countries

News Articles

• ABTN: Commentary: Border Controls - American or British...Read More
• ABTN: US Border Controls: Paper Forms Will Remain for Now...Read More
• Globe and Mail: U.S. to enforce new travel requirements...Read More
• Wall Street Journal: Visa rules win cautious support...Read More
• Washington Post: U.S. to Make Foreign Visitors Register Online...Read More
• CNN: Online registration to be required for visa-free travel to U.S...Read More
  
• Reuters: U.S. to require electronic travel data...Read More
  
• BBC News: US to tighten visa restrictions...Read More
  
• Associated Press: US to require online travel registration...Read More
  
• The Guardian: US security: visitors must give 72 hours' notice...Read More
  
• TVNZ: New entry requirements for US travel...Read More
  
• ABC News: Foreign Travelers Face Closer Scrutiny...Read More
  
• Associated Press: Travelers without visas to be required to register...Read More

U.S. GLOBAL ENTRY PROGRAM

Apply Online

Information

• Global Entry Website
• Global Entry Fact Sheet
• Global Entry FAQ's
• Global Entry Federal Register Notice

News

• CBP Now Accepting Applications for Global Entry Pilot Program...Read More
• CBP Announces Pilot for Global Entry Program...Read More

UNITED STATES WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (WHTI)

Information

• DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to announces intent to relax WHTI passport requirements for children crossing US-Canadian Borders by land and sea scheduled for January 2008…Read the DHS Press Release.
• ALERT: Effective January 23, 2007, passports are required for air travel to/from Canada, Mexico, and any non-U.S. owned islands in the Caribbean ... Read More
• DHS Announces Final Western Hemisphere Air Travel Rule...Read More
• Travel Documents for crossing the border...Read More
• New Requirements for Travelers...Read More
• Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Western Hemisphere Transport Initiative (WHTI)...Read More

ACTE News

• ACTE Endorses WHTI Final Rule For Transborder Identification ... Read More