Can TSA (at the airport) legally ask you to turn on your laptop?

Question

Just an argument that I am having with a friend… I say that they can’t because that would be a violation of privacy. Also, if it’s a business laptop it may contain company secrets not meant for anyone outside of the organization.

Answer 1

Yes they can.

If you are flying domestically, and you refuse, they can simply refuse to pass you through security. (And you go into a database of people who've been refused passage through airport security, which will cause you problems in the future)

If you are flying internationally, then they have two choices. They can just turn you away, or they can call over US Customs to take your laptop for inspection - such an inspection can include reading every file on your laptop. Customs, unlike the police, do not need a warrant to search you or your property if you are traveling internationally.

This is a legitimate concern. Many big companies require their employees to upload all sensitive files to company servers and erase them from their laptops before an international flight for just this reason.

Richard

Answer 2

Yes they can, they can not only ask you to turn it over they can keep if for as long as they deem it to be necessary.

It is a brave new world kids, thanks to the patriot act search and seizure without warrant are allowed.

Answer 3

Yes they can, but I don't see it as a violation of privacy. Just turning on the device shows that it is functional and does not violate any secrets. Now if they want to view files or read your email that would be over the line and would require a search warrant. Coincidentally, I travel some on business and have never been asked to turn on my laptop. In every airport they just state that I must remove it from it's case and place it in a separate bin before sending through the x-ray machine.

Answer 4

Yes they can but you don't have to comply.  But then they don't have to let you on their plane either.  So if you have nothing to hide then do it and shut up.

Answer 5

  No company will allow secrets to come up on power up so that is safe, and after 9/11, all personnal electronics are to be able to be powered on or they will not be allowed into the passenger part of the aircraft. I traveled with a TV camera, and had a had time they wanted it powered up, I did not have the batteries, they were checked, but had the power supply,, held up the line almost 15-mins, while we powered it up and down. not to the side in line. This was in 1993, before 9/11, so even then they could and did do this, not I see it a lot more. A new machine is entering service at some airports that will allow you to be scanned and not need to remove or power on your laptop, saw it in the news a week or so ago.  Looks like your Friend wins this time.  

Answer 6

Yes they can .. The same goes for any electronic device you have. It's to make sure that it is what it is supposed to be and not a casing for a explosive device, part of one, or a shell for concealing a weapon.

Answer 7

yes, not only that, if you search in the news recently, like yesterday, you will see that claim they are allowed to simply take it, "search" it later, and never give it back to you.

that should send chills down your spine.....

edit:

since so so many poeple are so so wrong above me, here is a link to what I mentioned:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

Answer 8

No they can't make you turn it on, but they can prevent you from entering the terminal if you do not. It is no more a violation of privacy than searching through any of the rest of your luggage.

Answer 9

They are not looking for data files on the laptop. They just want to make sure it will power up and not being used as a case for a bomb.

Answer 10

Yes

Laptops can be used much like cell phones and actually disrupt frequencies. Although, it is unlikely a laptop has that much power, it is considered a possibility. Laptops are carry, at the airlines discretion and by locale.

get used to it.

wanna know something funny, I was delayed by a security guard at the x-ray - demanding I give my nationality and be honest about it, in uniform, on leave with 7 other buddies in uniform. Guard insisted on my arab nationality- I did not know mexicans looked like arabs or spanish names looked arabic - had it not been for several stewardess present - who knows.. to top it off, she was central american by accent, had I not had a smirk on my face on the verge of laughing and security guards with a smirk staring at her, I would have asked her for immigration status.