The contents of your luggage aren’t the only thing that US officers might be interested in.
One Reddit user, who is a US citizen, expressed their fear about having to go through border inspection, during which the officers have the right to ask travelers to inspect their devices.
“I’ve never done anything illegal but that doesn’t stop some people. What’s a way to efficiently and safely rid any ‘problematic’ stuff on my phone so I could pass inspection?” asked the user.
Their question started a discussion online with others sharing some tips and tricks.
Some users shared that in this case, they would back up and wipe their phone and restore their data once they were home, also coaching the user on what to say to the officer about not being able to provide them passwords.
“If you’re a US Citizen they can’t legally deny you entry,” concluded one Redditor.
Some users indicated that in such instances it’s best to leave your phone at home and buy a burner phone for the trip.
“Don't take the phone at all. Improvise,” wrote a user.
Another piece of advice that perhaps would raise less suspicion was to use features such as Second Space, which allows Huawei users to have a second account, or Samsung’s Maintenance Mode, which hides users' personal data, including photos, messages, contacts, and more.
According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry policy, officers have the right to search vehicles, persons, baggage, merchandise, and electronic devices “to ensure compliance with the laws enforced or administered by CBP.”
“As a US citizen who will be visiting Canada and returning to the US, I will power off my iPhone upon landing. I will refuse to enter the password if they ask. They can harass me but they must let me enter the US,” wrote one user online.
“If you're a US citizen then you have a constitutional right to refuse the searches,” noted another Redditor with someone stating that “rights that are shriveling by the day.”
CBP can conduct a search for “digital contraband,” “terrorism-related information,” and “other national security matters.”
The policy also states that all travelers are obligated to show their electronic devices and provide information that would allow authorities to check them. If the device is protected by a password, it “may be subject to exclusion, detention, or other appropriate action or disposition.”
Can travelers who disagree with showing their device to CBP be denied access to the US? The document explains that if a traveler is a US citizen, then they can’t be denied entry into the country, but their device might be taken into detention.
For travelers who are not US citizens and fail to show their electronic devices for inspection, CBP “may take appropriate law enforcement actions” against them.
The policy also reveals that information (such as passwords) acquired to “facilitate the examination” of an electronic device will be deleted or destroyed when no longer needed.
How can I avoid my stuff being seen on my phone at border inspection
byu/Iwannabecatwoman inprivacy
“Wait, they are doing what??,” asked one surprised user. One Redditor shared examples of how people were denied entry to the US because of the information found on their phones.
“Dr. Rasha Alawieh was denied re-entry to the US after her phone was searched by CBP and they discovered images they didn't like in her deleted folder,” wrote the user, “A French scientist was denied entry in March, supposedly as a result of CBP finding texts critical of the current US president.”
Among the proposed ways to deal with possible device searches, users also added a “travel phone” with only the necessary apps and no social media accounts and even an idea of shipping a smartphone instead of carrying it with you.
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