Second Circuit upholds suspicionless border searches of electronic devices

The short version

• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that federal border agents may search travelers' electronic devices without suspicion.[Hacker News]
• The ruling in United States v. Alisigwe rejected arguments from civil liberties and press groups seeking warrant requirements under the First and Fourth Amendments.[Hacker News]
• Advocates warn that the decision exposes sensitive personal data and confidential journalistic sources to warrantless inspection.[Hacker News]

Key facts

• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that border agents may conduct suspicionless searches of travelers' electronic devices.[Hacker News]
• The decision stemmed from the criminal case United States v. Alisigwe, which involved evidence gathered from two warrantless border searches of a mobile phone.[Hacker News]
• The Knight First Amendment Institute and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed an amicus brief arguing that the First and Fourth Amendments require warrants for border device searches.[Hacker News]
• The appeals court rejected the arguments presented in the amicus brief.[Hacker News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Second Circuit Allows Government to Search Electronic Devices at the BorderHacker News