517

An Appeals Court panel has ruled that federal agents can legally search through travelers' cell phones without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a warrant when they cross an international border.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] bold_atlas@lemmy.world 5 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)
  • Travel with a cheap burner phone.
  • Just before returning change your password to a long randomly generated string of letters and numbers.
  • Write it down and mail it your home address.
  • Lock your phone when you arrive at customs.
  • Tell border agents what you did and that you can't unlock it until you get your letter next week.

Thus they only have 2 options: A. Seize it and have the lab unlock a burner with nothing on it. B. Or they can just let it go. In either case they're suckers wasting their own time instead of yours.

[-] nao@sh.itjust.works 6 points 8 hours ago

Option 3: They just detain you until you hand over the password. You are allowed to call someone to retrieve it from your mail.

[-] bold_atlas@lemmy.world 2 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago)

I can't unlock my phone. How am I supposed to call anyone?

[-] Molvorin@feddit.dk 2 points 5 hours ago

I guess I'm old enough to remember calling people from other phones than your own

[-] bold_atlas@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

How? I ain't got any numbers memorised. They're on my phone. It's locked.

[-] Hossenfeffer@feddit.uk 2 points 3 hours ago

Then you're going to be detained for quite a long time.

this post was submitted on 25 Sep 2026
517 points (98.7% liked)

Privacy

51088 readers
568 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS