Press Release

For Immediate Release
23 October 2006

Risk of Laptop Seizure by Customs or Border Patrol Officers Impacts International Corporate Privacy

Barcelona, Spain -- The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is warning its members that under U.S. law, government agents may seize and search a person´s laptop computer, computer discs, and other electronic media when that person arrives in the U.S. from abroad or departs from the U.S for a foreign country. The law applies equally to U.S. passport holders and non-U.S. passport holders. The association is advising business travellers to be cautious in carrying proprietary information across U.S. borders.

According to an ACTE survey of its international membership, eighty six percent of business travel executives indicated that court decisions allowing U.S. Customs Agents and Border Patrol officers to examine and download the contents of travellers' laptops -- or to even confiscate them -- are ample cause to limit the kind of proprietary information typically carried in an executive's computer.

"The information that U.S. government officials have the right to examine, download, or even seize business travellers' laptops came as a surprise to the majority of our members," said ACTE's Executive Director Susan Gurley, "The common belief is that there is a right to the privacy of one's computer. Yet it appears that there is none."

ACTE's international constituency was evenly divided on the issue of having polices limiting the extent of proprietary information to be stored on laptops routinely used for travel. Thirty-six percent do not have corporate policies that specifically define and limit proprietary information that can be carried on a traveller’s computer. Thirty-five percent said they do. Twenty-nine percent are researching this issue. Of the companies that do have policies covering the protection of proprietary data on laptops , the primary concern is the theft or loss of the laptop.

Only one percent indicated either they or someone they know has had a laptop confiscated by authorities. Ninety four percent pf survey respondents were unaware that Customs or border officials can confiscate laptops for days, weeks or indefinitely.

"ACTE´s leadership continues to ask for clarification from the U.S. government regarding what steps, if any, are being taken to protect confidential business, privileged legal, and personal information." said Gurley.

For More Information:

Cass Helstrip
[email protected]
07968 255 464


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