Monday, Aug 25, 2008    Text size: 

Citing safety concerns, the FDA said that devices purporting to help with "external penile rigidity" can be confiscated at U.S. borders.

These safety concerns include complaints from the FDA that these toys don't have inadequate directions and bring with them a host of harmful side effects, including ruptured blood vessels and the potential of gangrene in the penis.

“Basically, the labeling of these devices falsely states or implies they will treat impotence, prolong erection and increase the dimensions of the penis,” the FDA said in the new notice.

Penis-enlargement devices have also fallen under the FDA's increased scrutiny. Authorities can now collect any "mechanical stretching devices that employ weights or lines tied to other parts of the body such as the knee, to affect tension on the penis."

The FDA announcement follows a federal ruling in April that said a search of a laptop did not constitute an unreasonable search and seizure.

In its ruling, the 9th Circuit said that the search of a laptop is no different than luggage and that reasonable suspicion is not necessary to check laptops or other electronic devices coming over border checkpoints.

In response, a watchdog group called the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives filed briefs claiming there have to be some limits on the government’s ability to acquire information.

“Under the government’s reasoning,” the brief said, “border authorities could systematically collect all of the information contained on every laptop computer, BlackBerry and other electronic device carried across our national borders by every traveler, American or foreign.” That is, the brief said, “simply electronic surveillance after the fact.”