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Comment by manishsharan | Hacker News Reader

Some companies issue "China" Laptops to their executives that they must discard after visiting China. Now I believe we all need throw away laptops and cell phones and Facebook accounts for any sort of international travel.

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I know that at least one big German chemical company is doing exactly the same for US trips, because they have evidence of industrial espionage attempts against then. Executives that have to go to any non-European country get a clean laptop, with nothing but the VPN client installed and access is only enabled after the traveler has reached the destination and has called and given a verbal "all good". On return the laptop is not connected to the internal network, but wiped clean.

The last company I worked for (quasi-government) would issue special temporary laptops and blackberries for international travel. You were not allowed to take company devices outside the US. At one point they brought someone in from the CIA to basically scare us with stories of how your devices will be targeted at the border, or even by someone breaking into your room when you are not there.

Most countries aren't that invasive, but it's pretty clear that a visit to the US justifies issuing a special "US" laptop now.

I'm actually wondering what happens if I'm ever asked about Facebook credentials when travelling to the US.

Fact is: I don't do Facebook, nor any other Facebook product, so I'm really not able to hand over any such credentials.

Like you I don't do Facebook and I have every Facebook domain blocked. No one except my immediate family believes I don't use Facebook and considers it an affront when I say I don't use it in response to their request "What's your Facebook?" Many people can't imagine anyone doesn't have a Facebook account. Anyone who says they don't is presumed a liar who is socially rejecting them by refusing to connect.

With TSA/Customs you need to be truthful. If you don't have an account say so. If you have one and say you don't that's a felony.

2019 appears to have lots of students who, although always on their phone, a good bunch don't have Facebook and consider it outdated. Instagram is the new Facebook.

Instagram is still Facebook.

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