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Burner phones are now mandatory when traveling to the US. (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by MapleEngineer@lemmy.world to c/canada@lemmy.ca

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https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20250320-french-scientist-denied-us-entry-over-text-messages-criticising-trump

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[-] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 2 years ago

Thats why you should use a Google Pixel with GraphineOS and a unique 20+ digit password (along with a secure VPN like Mullvad)

[-] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 17 points 2 years ago

No avg person is doing this. Get a second phone with alias accounts.

[-] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 2 years ago

I use GraphineOS and tbh its not inconvenient to use

[-] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago

Convincing someone to completely change their operating system isn't easy from the start.

[-] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

If you're genuenly worried about your security it makes sense, the average person however doesn't care so they wont do anything to increase security

[-] cmhe@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago

TBH, buying a cheap Chinese burner phone with no security relevant data on it just for traveling to the US, might be better security wise than buying an expensive Google Pixel Phone with GrapheneOS on it.

Especially now where Google, a US company and bound by its laws, that produces these devices, might (start) hand(ing) out backdoor keys to their hardware.

[-] Onsotumenh@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 years ago

But with Graphene&Co you can make full backups, store them externally (e.g. selfhosted cloud) and then just apply before/after crossing borders as needed. Plus doing that makes a duress wipe way less painful if you ever need to. Tho, if you're somewhere where they're likely to just keep it instead of forcing an unlock or copying data, a cheap burner that doesn't hurt to loose is still the better idea...

[-] Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

That is a good option. I am actually quite careful about what I use my phone for. I still on occasion use Google maps, but i turn location history off and I always delete previous searches.

I am aware that this does not remove them from google's database, but it does make your movements not immediately obvious.

Also i would delete browser history and log out of all social media accounts (and disable remembering usernames/passwords) and even uninstall some apps in order to make who you interact eith less immediately obvious. Once you clear the border fully you can reinstall everything at your earliest convenience.

[-] iknowitwheniseeit@lemmynsfw.com 6 points 2 years ago

You may want to try Organic Maps. It can probably help in 80% of situations where you use Google Maps.

[-] Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

I also have osmand. At any rate I wish I could uninstall Google entirely off my computer. My dad was the one who made my gmail account back in 2005 (when it was invited only, if you can believe/remember that), and I have been using it for all my governmental and important stuff since. I have plenty of other emails, but most of them are for inconsequential stuff.