Many businesspeople travel around with laptops containing confidential information, private or company related. Be aware your precious laptop can be seized or its contents scrutinized (“forensic analysis”) by the customs people at customs and immigration checkpoints upon entering the country. Businesspeople might end up without their laptop they expect to use for presentations, work or private use. The search can be done “without probable cause, reasonable suspicion or warrant” according to the country’s court. What happens to the data, no guarantee. Just think about highly confidential company information or your wife’s nude picture to keep you in a good spirit during your trip.
Oops! Forgot to mention again. The country is the USA. Just imagine if Chinese customs would do the same, expect an international outcry.
Be warned. Source: IHT 25 October 06.