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Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained
(www.theguardian.com)
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this post was submitted on 13 Apr 2025
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I'll (Canada) probably be skipping a conference that we usually do each year in the states as well. Not worth potentially getting my phone/laptop scanned and data stolen.
Imagine getting to a point where people need burner phones to enter the US.
I'm trans. If there is a scientific conference in the states, you can be damn sure I'll be sitting that one out
Wasn't that already the case since 9/11 and the Patriot Act?
Or not even going to usa
I was thinking some people are being forced to go by work. Can't imagine going willingly.
Better to lose your job than lose your life
Unfortunately, a lot of people are in the position where it's maybe a 0.1% of losing their life if they go, and an 80% chance of losing their job if they don't. That makes the calculation a lot more difficult, and causes all kinds of stress.
Of course, any job that would force you to go when you don't feel fully safe is a shitty job. But, a lot of people don't feel like they have the option to leave a shitty job.
I'd imagine individuals esteemed enough to attend international conferences/events know that they have other job options. This aren't paper-pushers.
If its off and encrypted, they can't steal your data.
They can copy it. They can't break the encryption.