Senate Judiciary Crime Subcommittee Sets Hearing on Enforcement Access to Travelers' Devices

The Senate Judiciary Committee's Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee set a May 10 hearing on U.S. border agents' increasing requests for travelers to provide access to phones and other electronic devices at airports and border crossings. Civil society and reporters' groups were among those who campaigned against the practice. Reps. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, and Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore. filed the Protecting Data at the Border Act (HR-1899/S-823), which would require law enforcement to get a warrant based on probable cause to search electronic devices of U.S. citizens and green card holders (see 1703170019, 1704040081 and 1704050030). The hearing will begin at 2:30 p.m. in 226 Dirksen, said a notice.