New Zealand airport customs officials routinely demand passwords and perform "digital...

[mailpup]

How can they demand passwords???

When did this happen???

My understanding was you do not need to provide your password to anyone, government bawbags included, just about worldwide.

According to the article it's been going on since 2015, so a couple of years more or less.

 

[mailpup]

Then they may have the power to confiscate devices you are unwilling or unable to provide the password for. So your data may very well remain secure but you might lose your laptop, phone, or tablet.

Maybe but the article does not mention this as a consequence and this would be an important detail not to omit. They would likely not need to contemplate a fine if they could just confiscate your device. Then again, I don't know for sure.

 

[andy06shake]

Maybe but the article does not mention this as a consequence and this would be an important detail not to omit. They would likely not need to contemplate a fine if they could just confiscate your device. Then again, I don't know for sure.

Ether way its draconian beyond belief. No point in attempting to protect our security and way of life if the cost is the removal of our basic freedoms.

 

[wizardB]

Well there's another country I'll never visit again. I spend my traveling dollar in tech friendly countries, same reason I no longer visit the states. Totalitarian governments who think we work for them rather then the other way around. As I've stated before "politicians best serve the public as fertilizer" and that is all of them no matter their stripe, there is no good one they all feed at the public trough.

 

[Darth Shiv]

Then they may have the power to confiscate devices you are unwilling or unable to provide the password for. So your data may very well remain secure but you might lose your laptop, phone, or tablet.

In some situations I'd prefer that to them falsifying claims on stuff they do go through.

And let's remember this - they are searching your property without proper cause. The only thing you are doing is trying to travel. There is literally nothing you are doing wrong that should allow them to search your property. This is overreach.