US border forces are seizing Americans' phone data and storing it for 15 years (engadget.com)

Article summary

US border forces are seizing and storing phone data from travelers, including Americans, for up to 15 years without a warrant. The data is added to a massive database that can be accessed by thousands of government officials. Border officials can copy information from travelers' phones, including text messages, call logs, and photos, and travelers are not informed of their rights before their devices are searched. The practice has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse of power.

Main themes

• border control
• privacy
• national security
• government surveillance
• individual freedom
• accountability

What commenters say

• The government's surveillance and data collection practices are a threat to individual privacy and freedom.
• The need for national security and border control justifies the collection and storage of phone data from travelers.
• The lack of transparency and oversight in the government's data collection practices is a concern.
• The distinction between citizens and non-citizens is important in determining the extent of their rights and protections at the border.
• The potential for abuse of power and coercion by border officials is a significant concern.
• The idea that a flawed democracy is better than no democracy or an authoritarian government is a valid perspective.
• The notion that government agents should be held accountable for their actions and that there should be consequences for abuse of power is a widely held view.