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Personal electronic devices will be subject to additional screening on flights to US

Axios: “Additional screening will soon be required before personal electronic devices (PEDs) larger than cell phones can be carried on to U.S.-bound flights, senior Department of Homeland Security officials announced Wednesday. The TSA and the State Department will also be involved in implementation. The need for more security comes from the fact that terrorists continue to look at attacking commercial airlines as the “crown jewel,” and are exploring new ways to conceal devices, DHS Secretary John Kelly said at the CNAS conference. Why it matters: This move could have major commercial implications, but Kelly is pressing ahead because he places aviation in general, and the ability of terrorists to turn laptops into explosive devices in particular, at the top of his list of security concerns.   What to expect: As one senior DHS official put it, “if the PEDs [larger than a cellphone] are screened, they can fly. If they are not screened, they cannot fly.” The officials would not discuss what the enhanced screenings will look like exactly, but added that DHS is calling for the use of next generation screening methods as well as K-9 assets. DHS is encouraging more airports to become pre-screening locations, which allows passengers to go through Customs and border security before boarding flights to the U.S., Kelly said…”

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