Privacy at NYC Border Control

I like writing about data protection if I am completely honest.

Even the sound of the keyboard when I am writing my thoughts out for my audience, sounds like music in my ears.

In this beautiful afternoon in Manhattan, NYC I thought I will take you through the importance of privacy for us.

It all started when the plane touched the ground of JFK International. I had the usual "when the tyres of the plane intitially touch the ground" moment where I close my eyes.

Nevertheless, I left the plane while giving a wide smile to the crew members as they deserved for making my second experience in business class very memorable.

My mood changed slightly when I reached border control.

"Do you use social media?" a border officer asked me.

"Instagram mainly." I responded.

"Mind showing me your profile?"

"Actually, it is on private. I use Instagram for my really close family & friends only."

I will spare you the rest of a very negative conversation that - in my opinion - opposed my basic understanding of privacy.

You really don't need to know what I post on **** Instagram to understand that I am not a threat but just a digital writer who writes about data protection once in a while.

Anyhow, I had to give in and open up my Insta. After all, even I as a data protection practitioner rather get to this cafe and enjoy writing to you guys with a glass of warm lemonade than still be discussing the concept of data minimisation.

Afterwards I think it is my fault.

I have a tendency to be very naive. I know.

I just thought data minimisation is like a basic thing that is just ... you know... there!?

If I am really honest, after two hours I really don't care about the US border force having my data, in the end I trust that they are keeping us safe.

Especially after seeing what happened in Greater Manchester Airport (The Police Incident).

Does not mean it is not worth talking about the - even if little to negligible as nothing was saved - humiliation while coming to a new country before even spending at least a couple of hundred bucks.

I dedicate this article to Khadija Gul who supports me on publishing my content.

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