Press Release
For Immediate Release
23 April 2008
U.S. FEDERAL COURT DECISION SUPPORTS TRAVELLER LAPTOP SEIZURES
Alexandria, Va. -- The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has issued a warning to its members worldwide – and to all business travellers – to limit proprietary information on laptop computers when crossing U.S. borders, and to eliminate any personal data, including photographs, finances and email that you do not want examined by Border Protection authorities. The warning follows a decision by a federal appeals court on 21 April 2008 giving customs officials the unfettered authority to examine, copy, and seize travellers’ laptops – without reasonable suspicion.
“ACTE filed an Amicus brief contending that a traveller’s laptop was essentially intellectual property and not the same as luggage nor freight,” Susan Gurley, ACTE Global Executive Director, said. “The court has disagreed and this decision will have significant impact on business travellers who have no idea their data is subject to search and seizure.”
The association also argued there were no published guidelines as to what might trigger a secondary inspection, or the seizure of data or possibly the entire computer. According to Gurley, the expectation of privacy at the border is considerably less than one can expect in their home or office.
“In a time of heightened international security, it will take a brave Congress to rule that parties may not be subject to suspicionless searches,” said Gurley. “The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals missed a golden opportunity to preserve the rights of Americans.” Gurley contends this issue will surface again when a more compelling case winds its way to the Supreme Court, or additional parties seek a legislative remedy to the problem.
A 2008 ACTE survey indicated that 81 percent of responding travel managers were unaware that laptops and other electronic devices that were seized could be held indefinitely. Sixty-five percent of respondents stated that their companies have now instituted a policy restricting the amount of sensitive or proprietary data that could be carried on a laptop. That number is expected to grow in the wake of this ruling.
ACTE’s advice to business travellers states:
1) That you should not carry any confidential, personal information that you do not want examined by third parties on your computer – or other electronic devices. This includes financial data, photographs, and email stored on computers, wireless phones, Blackberries, or iPod-type devices.
2) That you should limit the amount of proprietary business information you carry on your computer, and that it be transmitted before crossing the border so you have access to it in the event your unit is seized.
3) If your laptop also serves as your major home computer, get another one for travel purposes.
4) The Association of Corporate Travel Executives is not advising travellers to hide data from U.S. border authorities, but to take steps to minimize the impact of its loss, or the inability to access it, in the event it is seized.
At the association’s Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C., 18-20 May 2008, ACTE will hold a Global Symposium on data privacy, addressing the issues of laptop seizures. Press registration for the symposium and the conference is complimentary, and can be accessed at https://www.acte.org/events/washington_08/register.php.
For more information, please visit the ACTE website at http://www.acte.org/laptop_seizures.php.
ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €200 billion business travel industry. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com