[tgb]

The problem with a layman like myself trying to read the law is this kind of thing "except as authorized under regulations made pursuant to law" [1]. What does that mean? It makes the law entirely unreadable. Does this actually prohibit me from making a scan of my passport as a backup while travelling? Presumably not, given that doing so is actually the official suggestion of the state department [2]. So how the hell do I know if something is illegal or not?

[1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/701 [2] https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.h...