Domestic NZ travel and potential for forced turnover of device logins?

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sross

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#243789 1-Jan-2019 16:02

I've seen some chatter on this a while back and I'll be traveling in a couple of weeks (domestic air nz). I see no reason I would be asked for logins, but am still wondering if anyone has been faced with this. What concerns me most would be my business data and local password managers etc. Is this remotely even a possibility? Has there been a case of it yet? Cheers

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#2152998 1-Jan-2019 16:02

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#2153002 1-Jan-2019 16:20

Who would be asking you for passwords and under what law?

Are you sure you're not confused by Customs now having the legal power to ask for passwords at the border?

sross

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#2153006 1-Jan-2019 16:34

Ah yes. I had not realised it's only at border customs. I kept seeing "Airports" such as this article, but it does not appear to be domestic whatsoever.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/digital-strip-searches-nz-airports-force-hundreds-kiwis-surrender-mobile-and-laptop-passwords-each-year?variant=tb_v_1

mudguard

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#2153007 1-Jan-2019 16:41

That can't be correct. We had a work memo awhile ago telling us to avoid travelling through any areas that request it while we have work phones and laptops with us.

sross

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#2153019 1-Jan-2019 16:43

mudguard: That can't be correct. We had a work memo awhile ago telling us to avoid travelling through any areas that request it while we have work phones and laptops with us.

for domestic?

k1w1k1d

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#2153022 1-Jan-2019 17:04

I regularly travel with a work laptop and would have no problem giving customs the login to check what is on it. The laptops are service laptops, so don't really have any sensitive information on them, just manuals and diagnostic programs for the equipment we work on. The laptops are used by more than one user, so I just have to hope that none of the guys have downloaded anything they shouldn't have. Usually give them the once over before going away.

The only phone I have is work provided so I know what is on it. I only use it in NZ and don't take it overseas, so customs is not an issue.

So far we have not had any memos on this subject.

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sbiddle

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#2153023 1-Jan-2019 17:07

Customs have the power in a Customs controlled area at an International airport (or other Customs controlled areas) to demand access to devices under new laws that came into play in October.

If you're anywhere NZ (including a domestic airport) Police have some powers under the search and surveillance act to demand access to devices providing they have a warrant. Without a warrant there are still some clauses in the act that may give them right to demand passwords or access.

mudguard

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#2153024 1-Jan-2019 17:17

sross:
mudguard: That can't be correct. We had a work memo awhile ago telling us to avoid travelling through any areas that request it while we have work phones and laptops with us.

for domestic?

No, for international. I personally do very little international travel for work. However we are under instruction to reroute travel that requires access to devices.
This was around the time the US were talking about it rather than anything recently.

alasta

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#2153061 1-Jan-2019 19:48

Does this power extend to them being given access to password managers and Internet banking? If so are there any fishhooks in deleting those apps prior to travelling and reinstalling them when you arrive home?

sross

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#2153068 1-Jan-2019 20:42

alasta:

Does this power extend to them being given access to password managers and Internet banking? If so are there any fishhooks in deleting those apps prior to travelling and reinstalling them when you arrive home?

Next time I travel international my plan is:

backup my iphone to itunes

encrypted macbook time machine backup to some storage at aws

security wipe iphone and macbook, setup with dummy accts

get to destination, restore macbook via time machine

restore iphone via itunes backup

repeat the process when returning.

I would imagine they can force you to give up access to everything, or they will clone your disk then proceed to find deleted data and crack secure files, etc. I have nothing to hide, it's mainly the idea of the violation of privacy that makes me want to go down a civil disobedience route.

sbiddle

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#2153075 1-Jan-2019 21:38

Seems the only thing you'll achieve out of that is massive inconvenience to yourself!

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PolicyGuy

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#2153078 1-Jan-2019 21:45

sross:

Next time I travel international my plan is:

backup my iphone to itunes

encrypted macbook time machine backup to some storage at aws

security wipe iphone and macbook, setup with dummy accts

get to destination, restore macbook via time machine

restore iphone via itunes backup

repeat the process when returning.

I would imagine they can force you to give up access to everything, or they will clone your disk then proceed to find deleted data and crack secure files, etc. I have nothing to hide, it's mainly the idea of the violation of privacy that makes me want to go down a civil disobedience route.

And this exactly why these seize and search powers will only catch naive and/or stupid people.
If you have something sensitive, you will store it in a cloud of some sort and completely erase it from your devices before transiting Customs.

Or you could put the data on a MicroSD card and put it under a band-aid. If the authorities are worried about you enough to peel off a sticking plaster in case it's just for effect, well you're in so much trouble that you really shouldn't have risked the travel. LOL

eracode

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#2153080 1-Jan-2019 22:07

sross:
alasta:

Does this power extend to them being given access to password managers and Internet banking? If so are there any fishhooks in deleting those apps prior to travelling and reinstalling them when you arrive home?

Next time I travel international my plan is:

backup my iphone to itunes

encrypted macbook time machine backup to some storage at aws

security wipe iphone and macbook, setup with dummy accts

get to destination, restore macbook via time machine

restore iphone via itunes backup

repeat the process when returning.

I would imagine they can force you to give up access to everything, or they will clone your disk then proceed to find deleted data and crack secure files, etc. I have nothing to hide, it's mainly the idea of the violation of privacy that makes me want to go down a civil disobedience route.

And exactly who is going to be aware that you were ‘civily disobedient’? So ridiculous IMO that I don’t believe you’re serious.

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2153081 1-Jan-2019 22:10

PolicyGuy:

And this exactly why these seize and search powers will only catch naive and/or stupid people.

Or pretty much anyone who is the subject of a fishing expedition.

We've already seen the Films Video and Publications Classification Act 1993 being [ab]used to silence Wicked Campers, what's to stop Customs using that or other legislation to catch the supposed 'bad guy' on a technicality? Al Capone was only convicted of tax evasion, wasn't he?

ANglEAUT

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#2153093 1-Jan-2019 23:27

sross:

alasta:

Does this power extend to them being given access to password managers and Internet banking? ...

Next time I travel international my plan is:

...

security wipe iphone and macbook, setup with dummy accts

...

1Password has a travel mode specifically for this reason & to help avoid all of these steps. Further research by yourself before use is required.

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