Edit Your Laptop Before You Travel

(April 25, 2008 - DTN) -- A word of advice for all professionals and travel clients traveling with their laptops: The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) issued a warning to its members worldwide – and to all travelers traveling with their laptops– 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 travelers’ laptops – without reasonable suspicion.

“ACTE filed an Amicus brief contending that a traveler’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 travelers 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.

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 advises travelers against carrying 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. They should also 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.  And, if laptop also serves as your major home computer, get another one for travel purposes. For more information, visit www.acte.org/laptop_seizures.php.

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