Press Release
For Immediate Release
1 May 2008
ACTE AND EFF SEEK CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON LAPTOP SEIZURES
Alexandria, Va. --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has officially added its signature to letters from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) asking both Houses of Congress to hold hearings regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) practice of searching and seizing traveller's digital information and electronic devices at U.S. borders. According to a statement issued by ACTE Executive Director Susan Gurley, the action follows a decision by a federal appellate panel on 21 April 2008 giving customs officials the authority to examine, copy, and seize travellers' laptops – without reasonable suspicion.
"ACTE questions any ruling that allows the government of a free country unlimited power to read, seize, store, and use all the information on any electronic device carried by any traveller entering or leaving the nation – without suspicion or due process," noted Gurley. The association has been representing the interests of travellers in the laptop seizure issue for the last two years, filing an amicus brief in 2007.
Four major points were emphasized in letters sent to Chairman Joe Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan Collins on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and to Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and Ranking Member Peter T. King on the House Committee on Homeland Security. These points included the seizure of password protected corporate laptops, the vague definition of what constitutes "suspicious," the lack of published procedures or guidelines governing electronic device search and seizure, and the disposition of personal data regarding third parties named or listed in seized data (such as corporate records, financial material, human resources personnel records, private email, and family communications).
"We are asking Congress to hold hearings regarding these arbitrary searches, and to consider legislation to prevent abusive search practices," said Gurley. "This issue is so significant, and has the potential to impact so many travellers, that we are compelled to leave no stone unturned in following it to an ultimate conclusion."
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.
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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