A forgotten password could cost you $5,000

2 October 2018
 
You had better not forget the password for your phone or laptop if you're traveling in or out of New Zealand from this point forwards.
 
If you do forget the password, or refuse to hand it over, you could cop a $5,000 fine for your arrogance.
 
Owch!
 
This is all thanks to the new Customs and Excise Act 2018, which came into effect yesterday, October 1st.
 
Of course we've been assured by the powers that be, that they won't be abusing their powers (like so many other government agencies appear to do on a regular basis -- just ask Kim Dotcom, Niki Hager and a raft of others about that). They reckon that they'll only demand access when they have "reasonable suspicion".
 
Hmmm... let's wait and see on that, shall we? After all, Customs admits that it searched 540 electronic devices at the border last year alone.
 
But should they have any right at all to go snooping into your digital devices?
 
Full Article.