UK Border Agency staff use counter-terrorism laws to remove a mobile phone from any passenger they wish coming through UK air, sea and international rail ports and then scour their data. The blanket power is so broad they do not even have to show
reasonable suspicion for seizing the device and can retain the information for as long as is necessary . Data can include call history, contact books, photos and who the person is texting or emailing, although supposedly not the contents of
messages. David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism laws, is expected to raise concerns over the power in his annual report this week. He will call for proper checks and balances to stop this power being abused. He said:
Information downloaded from mobile phones seized at ports has been very useful in disrupting terrorists and bringing them to justice. But ordinary travellers need to know that their private information will not be taken
without good reason, or retained by the police for any longer than is necessary.
It echoes concerns surrounding an almost identical power police can use on the streets of the UK, which is being reviewed by the Information
Commissioner. However, in those circumstances police must have grounds for suspicion and the phone can only be seized if the individual is arrested. Around 60,000 people a year are stopped and examined as they enter or return to the UK
under powers contained in the Terrorism Act 2000. It is not known how many of those have their phone data taken.
| 
