Up from last year
Residents travelling through nearby U.S. border crossings at Alexandria Bay or Ogdensburg are being warned about increased electronic device searches.
According to the National Post U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have inspected more than 14,000 phones, laptops and cameras between April and June this year.
That’s up from just over 12,000 during the same period last year.
The National Post also reported fewer than 0.01 per cent of international travellers are affected, but total searches this fiscal year have already topped 39,000, close to last year’s 47,000.
Most inspections involve non-U.S. citizens.
In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said the checks are not politically motivated, calling suggestions otherwise “baseless and irresponsible.”
Officials say the searches are used to detect contraband, terrorism-related content and national security threats.
Canada’s travel advisory notes U.S. agents can ask for device passwords without providing a reason.
Refusing may cause delays or even denial of entry.
Story by: Evan Gibb
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