What seemed absurd and impossible in Orwell’s utopias is now being realized in the modern world. At least, the vector of development of society is set in this direction. The state introduces total control in all spheres of life. A facial recognition system not only at airports, but also in Chinese schools, microchipping of employees, a genetic database of citizens on the blockchain, all these are the realities of today.
New Zealand is not lagging behind in innovation. Since the beginning of the week, a new version of customs legislation has come into force in the country. According to the rules prescribed in it, a customs representative has the right to demand from any traveler crossing the border not only to present his digital gadgets, but also to hand over passwords to familiarize himself with the contained files. Regardless of how the gadget is protected, be it a password, fingerprint or PIN code, upon the first request of a customs officer, the tourist must unlock it and give the opportunity to view personal information. In case of refusal to provide access to the contents of the device, it is confiscated and examined by experts without the owner, and the person who refuses faces a fine of $5,000. On the one hand, such a “digital inspection” is prescribed by the rules if the customs officer has suspicions, but on the other hand, the government representative is not obliged to voice the reasons for his demand and they cannot be challenged. Thus, no one is immune from interference in their personal life. After all, today most phones store all the details: email, account passwords, medical records, personal photos and a lot of information not intended for prying eyes.
The press service of the New Zealand Customs Department explains this forced measure by the growing ingenuity of terrorists, hoping to inspect computers and smartphones to stop the import of “something prohibited” into the country.
However, civil liberties defenders have already called this interference in personal life unlawful and are confident that organized crime will not store compromising materials online and import them on the phone.
Andreas Antonopoulos, well-known in the crypto community, has already commented on the situation on Twitter, noting that he considers such a violation of the personal rights and freedoms of citizens unacceptable and, unfortunately, he no longer intends to visit Novaya Zealand.
Australia also uses “digital screening” at border crossings. There, refusing to provide full access to a gadget can result in up to 10 years in prison.
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