If you’re traveling to New Zealand, you should be aware of the Customs and Excise Act of 2018. It just went into effect at the beginning of October.
New Zealand Customs and Border agents can now demand passwords for any electronic devices you bring into the country. They can download the entire contents of your phone or laptop, and search through it for evidence of a crime.
Agents could always search phones and laptops at the border. But now they can fine you up to $5,000 ($3,300 USD) for refusing to hand over the passwords, codes, and encryption keys to your devices.
The new law also allows Customs agents to collect biometric data from anyone entering the country. That means they can take your fingerprints, photo, or iris scans, store them, and share them.
And even worse, New Zealand’s Customs website explains:
“Making an arrest without a warrant can now be done with no limitation to timeframe.”
So now you officially have no rights at the New Zealand border.
Agents can search your electronics without cause, and fine you for refusing to give out your password. They can collect, store, and share any of your biometric data they want.
They can arrest you without a court order, and hold you for as long as they like.
It’s not like New Zealand is some third world country… They actually adopted the Habeas Corpus Act in 1881 while under British rule.
Along with the the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada, New Zealand’s legal system is part of the Western tradition. This is the legal basis, starting with the Magna Carta, that protects common people’s rights against overreaching authorities.
And Australia is there also with Legislation being debated as we speak to protect us all, so they say.
Give me a break. 1984 is here.