Mike Masnick at Tech Dirt alerts us to a very important development in the U.S. Government’s continued searching of laptop computers at the borders. (They might even take away your computer or Blackberry or other computerized device!) Travelers have had to watch officials literally go through data on their computers, or in other cases, have their computers taken away for several hours while the hard drives are imaged. And no one knows what happens to this data later.

Business travelers have had to contend with Homeland Security searching laptop computers when they cross U.S. borders, and that has raised some serious questions about private information, trade secrets, confidential data, and more. It has even led to some travelers carrying special laptops devoid of all information, which are then set up with data at the destination. (And of course, there’s the obvious issue of the potential for your computer to be damaged if Homeland Security messes up.)

The U.S. government is defending its right to access and even keep computerized data belonging to travelers because it’s necessary for our security. Defenders of the practice say it’s no different than searching a suitcase and preventing criminals and terrorists from bringing things across the border that are prohibited. Opponents say the searches are too invasive, since a computer can contain so much information about your entire life.

I find the argument about bringing data into the country amusing. Apparently Homeland Security has not heard of the internet, over which data is constantly flowing between countries. Do they now need to stop and search all electronic communications that are flying around the world wide web???

But this nonsense gets even better…

The Department of Homeland Security is now warning travelers that they should be careful about traveling to foreign countries with laptop computers, because officials in those countries might search the computers. A report by Homeland Security says:

Foreign governments routinely target the computers and other electronic devices and media carried by U.S. corporate and government personnel traveling abroad to gather economic, military, and political information. Theft of sensitive information can occur in a foreign country at any point between a traveler’s arrival and departure and can continue after returning home without the victim being aware

So when foreign governments search your computer and take copies of your data, it’s bad. When the U.S. government does it, it’s good. You gotta love that logic.