If You Visit a US Embassy or Consulate...

"...It's difficult to understand how a Cellphone or PDA would be a hazard..." They're not a physical hazard, rather they can be easily be used for espionage purposes. There was an incident a few years ago in Moscow whereby Russian Intelligence was caught using PDAs to download information planted by other moles inside various embassies. Memory sticks are even more of a threat. They are intentionally dropped on the floor or left in bathrooms, in the hopes that an employee will pick them up and out of curiosity i n s e r t it into a government desktop/laptop, a virus will planted, and an entire government network can be monitored by hackers working for a foreign government.

Eileen, Most of the items on the list made sense. I was surprised by having to leave your umberella with security.

Thank you for posting this. I had no idea.

An ipod? A cell phone? Any luggage? Pity the poor solo traveler in need of assistance who shows up at a consulate with all their stuff. They'd have to find someone, some place to keep it for them simply so they could get through the door. I understand the need for security, but something's just not right with this.

I thought this was an eye-opener... I certainly understand the precautions - ever seen '24', "James Bond", or any of a zillion shows along the lines of the "Bourne" movies etc. (or even "Office Space" LOL)? It's all CDs, USB sticks, poison-tipped umbrellas, iPods/radios/cell phones stuffed with explosives... It's a lucky thing that "Kate"/Meg Ryan lost EVERYTHING in Paris ;-)

What isn't right about not bringing in a cell phone? Have you never heard of the train bombings in London or Madrid? Luggage? Can you imagine how much work this would be for the guards to go through everyones luggage with a fine-tooth comb and then have place to store it? Consulates and Embassys are prime targets, where security is highest. Rest assured, there are usually places near-by that will be happy to hold your phone and bags for a small price. On the other hand, the majority of people going into the consulate are not tourists, but Americans who reside in that country getting birth certificates, social security cards, fiance' visas, and passports made and renewed in Citizens Services, veterans who live in that country getting help with their benifits, people getting visitors visas for the US, or immigration interviews. I would say the number of visitors who are just people who lost their passport to be very small. Thus, the consulate is not set up to make it easy just for them. Moral of the story is to take care that your passport is secure.

Everyone knows you can't bring an umbrella...that was The Penguin's weapon of choice for cryin' out loud (acid sprayer, flame thrower, missles)!!!

Most of the items listed under the ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC or BATTERY-OPERATED ITEMS category are designed to prevent espionage...not terrorism;)

I had occasion to go to the U.S. Consulate here in Montreal last week. The security guy who greeted me was bristling with weapons and night sticks and other paraphernalia, as well as a very unwelcoming scowl, and after going through the scanning thingie my purse was thoroughly searched and I was relieved of my cell phone and my car & house keys. On a positive note, the woman who dealt with my inquiry was absolutely charming and helpful and couldn't have been nicer.

Eileen, I was surprised to see that the list included many common electronic items, as I've never perceived those items to be particularly "threatening". It's difficult to understand how a Cellphone or PDA would be a hazard? I'll try to find out if Canadian Embassies have similar rules. Cheers!

What about shoe phones?

@ Michael Schneider, Thanks for the additional information. Although I'm fairly conversant with technology, I've never considered using devices of that type for "espionage" purposes.

Well, then Ken, you're definitely NOT spy material! EDIT: Maybe Ken's real name is James?

"I've never considered using devices of that type for "espionage" purposes." Ken, what devices have you considered using? ; )

When you make your appointment at the Embassy, they let you know of the security restrictions. And you can't get in without an appointment and ID. If you do bring something that is forbidden, you are allowed to leave it outside the embassy - at your own risk - and retrieve it when you leave. I found it wasn't such a big deal when I visited the Embassy in Paris.

The rules vary just a bit depending on the consulate or embassy you are visiting. The one in Frankfurt, the largest American Consulate in the world, will NOT let you leave your cell phone or electronic items outside in the security check area. You have to leave them some place else, away from the entire Consulat premises. There is a small kiosk down the street that will hold your phone for you for 5 euro. Guy makes a good living from this. Smaller consulates, may allow it, so it is best to check the website for each indidual one.

@ Susan, I haven't considered using ANY devices for that type of activity. I'm sure I wouldn't be very good at it!

Also, a cellphone, eventhough turned off, can be used remotely as a listening device. Thus, someone may bring it into a secured area and it will seem turned off, but can still be used remotely to monitor conversation, etc. This is in addition to, as someone already mentioned, the obvious possibility it can be an explosive device or the detonator for an explosive device, since it's happened before.

Banning cell phones for fear they could be used to set off explosives is an example of where we have lost our way. Yes, a cell phone could be a trigger if it was attached to something explosive. If I try to get a cell phone through security when it was attached to a brick of some clay-like substance, I would hope it would raise the suspicions of the security guards, but a cell phone by itself should not be a problem. At the least, the embassy/consulate should hold the item itself for visitors. If electronic devices cannot be brought into buildings such as these because they could be dangerous, why do we permit them to be taken on airplanes? You already can't check them in your luggage (which does make some sense based on the Lockerbie explosion), but they might soon ban them from being carried into the cabin itself. Federal buildings here used to ban all cell phones that had cameras - for security purposes, of course. It is very difficult to find a cell phone without a camera these days so it was effectively a ban on cell phones. This was another example of security concerns gone too far. I'm not talking about nuclear installations or FBI offices, just any office, such as Social Security. A terrorist doesn't need a photo to plan an attack on a federal building. As far as spying goes, if a visitor bringing in a cell phone or memory stick is going to breach a consulate's top secret security system, then that security system has other problems that are far more serious.

Ken, just my feeble attempt at humor =) Plus, you're too busy helping people here on the Helpline!

Oops, my #3 question to you is now posted for all to see!! I obviously don't have all my ducks in a row!! I asked you if I can get anywhere by using the index (which I found!) and clicking. Or do I just use the TOC?