Thread

1. TrackerFF · 1790856519 · focus · HN ↗

   Yeah, people are unfortunately not informed on just how much power border agents wield. Not only in the US, but in many (most I'd believe) other countries, too. I've worked on cases (intel side) where the law-enforcement side would just wait for the surveillance objects to cross the border, as that's where they could do most data collection with the least hassle.

   If for whatever reason you think you're being investigated or surveilled (who knows for what these days, could be enough to just associate with the various protest groups / orgs), you can just assume that the border will be where they'll try to clone / download your data (phones, laptops, whatever)

   1. kypro · 1790857063 · focus · HN ↗

      UK is crazy for this. Border police can detain anyone they like for literally no reason and if they do you have no right to lawyer or no right to silence. Your devices can also be taken and you must hand over any passwords.

      I know the UK is an authoritarian state and not really comparable to the US, but as a Brit it's kinda weird hearing Americans complain about flock cameras and arbitrary border searches – these are common place things in the UK and no one cares (well, apart from me and maybe one or two others).

      1. seanhunter · 1790857926 · focus · HN ↗

         That is not true. The specific powers of arrest and detention by UK border force were set out in this freedom of information response here <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.whatdotheyknow.com&#x2F;request&#x2F;uk_border_force_powers_of_arrest&#x2F;response&#x2F;1494571&#x2F;attach&#x2F;3&#x2F;55583%20H%20Ali%20response.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.whatdotheyknow.com&#x2F;request&#x2F;uk_border_force_power...

         Summary is they can’t detain people for no reason, they can detain people for specific offences relating to immigration and citizenship, customs and excise and also the normal stuff any regular police officer can arrest people for.

         I’m no apologist for how much state authority they have, but it’s not as bad as you’re making out.

         1. rdm_blackhole · 1790858344 · focus · HN ↗

            It is true.

            The UK border agents (technically counter-terrorism) can stop you at the border, force you into a room, ask for your passwords to all your devices and you don&#x27;t have the right to refuse.

            You also don&#x27;t have the right to a lawyer to be in a room with you and you are compelled to answer all their questions and they do not need to tell you why they stopped you.

            Then, if you are lucky they return your devices 7 days later after they have been through everything.

            This guy went through it last year and talks about what happens when they stop you: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;991kRp8KUmo?si=-5S1uLE7K9KG_gNj" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;991kRp8KUmo?si=-5S1uLE7K9KG_gNj

            1. geye1234 · 1790874165 · focus · HN ↗

               Thanks for stating this. The UK is far more authoritarian than the US. No first, fourth, fifth or sixth amendment. And HMRC can search your house without a warrant - see my other comment.

               The anti-Americanism on this site is bizarre. The USA gives people the greatest protections in the world.

               1. ndsipa_pomu · 1790943982 · focus · HN ↗

                  Depends on what aspect of authoritarianism that you&#x27;re looking at. In the UK there&#x27;s very little chance of getting shot by the police (especially as they don&#x27;t routinely carry guns) and police shootings garner a lot of press coverage.

                  Meanwhile, the U.S. has gangs of armed ICE &quot;agents&quot; that can pretty much murder people at will without even getting arrested.

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