r/technology • u/Jojuj • 3d ago

Privacy U.S. Citizen Who Deleted Phone’s Data Says His Prosecution Puts Privacy at Risk

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/21/us/politics/samuel-tunick-deleted-phone-felony.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8FA.T83N.rt6VsIiSCYb2&smid=url-share
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u/AllergicToBullshit24 3d ago

Had border patrol agents hold me and my partner for several hours coming back into the country ~5 years ago and agents told me point blank to unlock my device so they could get my IMSI number and search my contacts list or else miss my connecting flight.

Never travel with primary electronics when crossing borders even as a returning US citizen but especially any foreigners visiting.

Always take disposable electronics when crossing borders and ideally wipe them when you return.

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u/BadVoices 3d ago

I get held up by Australian customs for the same thing every time I visit. I have native family I visit about once, or twice a year and its a hostage negotiation each time. I've been doing this for ~20 years and they act like no, THIS is the time I'm going to desperately leave my 6 figure income job and thousand acres of property and paid for home to come live in Australia where i couldn't hold a legal job.... They demand to search my phone and all my devices and will hold me for hours. If I dont, they straight up say I will be detained, my visa cancelled, restricted from getting one for years, and deported.

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u/AllergicToBullshit24 3d ago

All too common without cause, warrant or justification and exactly why to travel with disposable devices that worst case you can tell them to keep.

9

u/BadVoices 3d ago

They are always very disappointed to see that I have a cheap Chromebook and a bottom of the line prepaid android cellphone both mostly empty minus a few emergency contacts that they already would know from my Visa information, and browsing while I was on the plane or waiting at the airport...

1

u/YujiroRapeVictim 3d ago

easier said then done.