So she was banned from entering the US not because she was carrying any drugs, and not because she intended to sell any drugs or get hold of any drugs, and not because she was currently using any drugs.<p>She was banned from entering the US because she had <i>previously</i> taken drugs...<p>EDIT: Also, the video on how to protect yourself when crossing the US border is "not available in my region"? What the hell? Do people in my region not have to protect ourselves when crossing the US border?
It's public knowledge I was charged with two counts of <i>Traffic controlled drug</i> and one count of <i>Posses Prescription drug</i>. All charges later dropped.<p>I still joke about it on a daily basis with friends in all the usual digital chat apps.<p>There is <i>absolutely no freaking way</i> I would <i>ever</i> go to the US.<p>Full stop. Period. End of story.<p>Edit: fixed an the words
The exchange they found on her phone that established her prior drug use was a conversation between her and her doctor. Is border patrol allowed to violate patient/doctor confidentiality? What about attorney/client privilege?
"A British Columbia woman was issued a lifetime ban at the US border after officials found an email with her doctor"<p>A very clear example why it is important to have encryption in the context of email. A private conversation between a patient and their doctor should be sacrosanct, and if government can't keep their hands away then technology need to step in and try to do its best to protect people.
I don't plan on ever visiting the US, especially with its current administration, but if I were to visit then I'd just take a £20 burner phone and no other tech. Anything I need I can put in to any number of cloud services and get it when I'm through the pointless interrogation.
Meanwhile in another thread people are arguing about "free speech" in the context of Nazis. I wonder if some of the people so keen to defend the worst kinds of speech could be redirected to argue that people might have a right to <i>private</i> free speech with their doctor and also enter the US?
Tourism is one of the largest industries in the US. Approximately 77 million foreigners traveled here in 2016 [1]. Hopefully, in time, we can get some statistics about lost revenue due to these policies and persuade congress against them. Lost profits seem to be something they understand and take action on.<p>[1] <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/214686/number-of-international-visitors-to-the-us/" rel="nofollow">https://www.statista.com/statistics/214686/number-of-interna...</a>
This is a intrusive and brazen breach of the right to privacy as is any inspection of personal devices and papers wherever it occurs.<p>It's time to stop the apologism and accept we are at the bottom of the slippery slope. It's also time to stop the pointless grandstanding about China, Russia etc to feel smug and superior because there is zero moral authority to pull that off.<p>The bigger problem is inspite of the outrage by many nothing happens. Is democracy working?
Yet another reminder to <i>never</i> cross borders while carrying anything other than disposable electronic communications and/or storage devices containing zero personal information. If anything leaves your sight, consider it copied and compromised - burn it.
Thanks border guards for keeping this terrorist out. /s<p>Seriously, she should not have admitted to drug use. Do not admit to anything at any border at any time. Always password protect the phone or even log out of your accounts in case they get in anyway. I've seen border agents pull a family into questioning because the mother hadn't signed her passport. Don't do that shit. The border is the worst place on earth and you can't fuck around there (any border to any country). Have fun after you cross over. Have common sense at the border. Lie if necessary but make sure it's a proper lie for the situation.