US border authority seeks travellers' social media details

Another reason not to use social media - or visit the US

Good for America.

Bad news for Canadian agent provocateurs. Looks like the covert Canadian police just lost a source of their income.

The request is optional. Just don't fill it out.

But yea, it's just "Security Theater 3000" if they think any self respecting Jihadi will post his intentions on Twitter, let alone then tell them where to find his confessions.

Naturally, the real purpose here is for the TSA and Border Patrol to ask Americans who are returning from outside the US about their social media.

It'd just be easier if the NSA would share information with them.

The request is optional. Just don't fill it out.

But yea, it's just "Security Theater 3000" if they think any self respecting Jihadi will post his intentions on Twitter, let alone then tell them where to find his confessions.

Many of the recent attacks have had hints to their intentions on facebook, twitter and the like. These guys aren't immune to technology of all kinds.

In particular online recruitment is a big deal.

The request is optional. Just don't fill it out.

But yea, it's just "Security Theater 3000" if they think any self respecting Jihadi will post his intentions on Twitter, let alone then tell them where to find his confessions.

Many of the recent attacks have had hints to their intentions on facebook, twitter and the like. These guys aren't immune to technology of all kinds.

In particular online recruitment is a big deal.

But they were all natural born, or living in the US already. Customs wouldn't have intercepted them, and anyone wanting to do harm now knowing they will be entering the US won't broadcast it beforehand.

That ship sailed. Now all they want is a database linking real people with their online persona.

I figure this is your response in two separate scenarios:

1) Canadian customs agent says hello to you as you approach the desk at the airport, doesn't ask you to open your luggage but merely requests to see your photo ID: "what are you, some kind of goddamn fascist?!?!?!?"

2) American customs agent with a look on his face like a bulldog licking piss off a nettle barks at you that he wants all your internet account names and passwords or he'll have you thrown into the lock-up and call Homeland Security on you: "no problem, here's my credit card numbers, my bank passwords, and my house keys too. America: you can just feel the freedom!", and then you break into a rousing "Hail To The Chief" as the body-cavity search begins in earnest.

Accurate, n'est pas?

With an that they forgo any form of lubricant.

He's putting me in the uncomfortable position of defending Canada. I don't like that.

Yeah, for now....until people are used to the idea of it. Then one day it will suddenly become mandatory

Companies are asking potential employees about their social media details so why not border agents? They're not going to stop a Terrorist but could end up stopping someone who's posting threats against Rachel Notley from entering.