The Washington Post reports the federal government has been using its system of border checkpoints to greatly expand a database on travelers entering the country by collecting information on all US citizens crossing by land. The data will be compiled and stored for fifteen years and may be used in criminal and intelligence investigations. Greg Nojeim of the Center for Democracy & Technology criticized the government’s actions. He said, “The theory of this data collection is: Track everyone — just in case.” The Washington Post also recently revealed that federal border agents are now allowed to take and search a traveler’s laptop computer, cellphone or other electronic device without any suspicion of wrongdoing. The policy applies to anyone entering the country, including US citizens.