You Might Have to Hand Over Your Passwords Entering New Zealand Or Pay a Huge Fine

While the world was wincing at Trump, New Zealand snuck this law in.

Last year, the world looked on in frustration when U.S. President Trump's announced U.S. Customs Officers would be allowed to search your phones and social media sites when you enter the country. 

But as an actual surprise to everyone, New Zealand has enacted a similar, perhaps harsher law, that requires travellers and returning New Zealand citizens, if asked, to disclose the passwords for their digital devices.

If you refuse? You'll get slapped with a $NZ5,000 fine (that's about $AUD4,500).

A spokesperson for New Zealand Customs, Terry Brown, explained that New Zealand is the first in the world to enforce such a tough stance.

"We're not aware of any other country that has legislated for the potential of a penalty to be applied if people do not divulge their passwords," Brown said.

Previously, custom officers were already allowed to search phones or other digital devices if they believed they contained evidence of criminal activity, but travellers weren't fined for not supplying their password.

According to Brown, the Customs Officers will only look at files saved on the devices and not search histories or anything available on internet-enabled services like Google Drive.

Understandably, some people are pretty upset by the news.

Hey @PureNewZealand: I will never, ever come to your country so long as this law exists there. https://t.co/qxDlAb1JXw

— Daniel M. Jimenez (@DMJreports) October 2, 2018

Huh, New Zealand was always on my list of places I wanted to go, but I guess that’s right out.

How about you, @Australia? Will you fine me if I don’t give you my phone password? https://t.co/TclkZKkueE

— LET'S GO OAK-LAND CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP (@BayAreaData) October 2, 2018

New Zealand’s ‘digital strip searches’: Give border agents your passwords or risk a $5,000 fine.

On a totally related note: guess who's never traveling to #newzealand. Me.

⁦@nztourismcom⁩ is going to have a new challenge. 😂 https://t.co/IqVuy83exi

— Travis Wright (@teedubya) October 2, 2018

Hopefully, this new approach doesn't set a precedent for other countries around the world.

Header Image: 20th Century Fox