As the summer travel season approaches, some travelers heading to the United States are increasingly concerned about the possibility of their phones and other electronic devices being searched by border protection officials. This concern has led some to adopt precautionary measures, including using a "temporary phone" while traveling.
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According to a report published by The New York Times, U.S. federal authorities have had the authority to search travelers' personal electronic devices at the border for over a decade, and these searches have noticeably increased in recent years. Just last year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency reported conducting nearly 43,000 electronic device searches, compared to about 38,000 in 2023.
Hilton Beckham, Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, explained in a statement that these searches are relatively rare, affecting less than 0.01% of travelers, and are conducted to investigate content related to smuggling, terrorism, and information related to visitor admissions.
However, recent incidents have shown that phone data, such as photos of weapons or social media posts, may be grounds for some travelers being denied entry into the United States.
In this context, Esha Bhandari, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed concern about certain groups of travelers being targeted for stricter searches, including lawyers and journalists who work to protect their sources.
The report offers a set of tips for travelers to reduce the risks of their data being searched, starting with assessing the level of personal risk. If a traveler carries sensitive data or has a background that might raise suspicion, more serious precautions are advised.
Tips for Travelers:
Low Risk: Use a strong passcode for your phone, disable biometric measures, and delete apps that contain sensitive information, such as encrypted messaging apps and social media apps that may have controversial content.
Medium Risk: Make a full backup of your phone’s data, wipe the device before traveling, and restore the data after crossing the border.
High Risk: Consider using a "temporary phone" — a cheap device that only carries the essential apps for the trip, along with a temporary email account for travel-related information.
Some travelers, such as the journalist who wrote the report, resort to this last option to protect their sensitive data and confidential sources from any potential exposure by border officials. This may involve carrying a simple Android phone and activating a temporary eSIM upon arrival at the destination.
The report emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the best approach depends on the traveler’s specific circumstances and the type of data they are carrying on their devices. However, caution and awareness of the potential risks remain crucial for all travelers to the United States.
