In 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspected more than 36,000 of such devices (primarily of non-citizens) despite only 0.01% of travelers being inspected. The increase in the number of lines is associated with more scrutiny with holiday crowds and lower flight capacity. Photos, messages, money, health information are stored in your phone; handing the phone over without locking the phone is like giving away your diary.

Who Gets Searched—and Why?

The checks of devices carried out by CBP indicate intent as per immigration laws. No hard and fast rules, just a hunch on the part of an officer. Simple searches are done through manual scrolling. Sophisticated searches relate the external tools with copy data. Agents are not able to access live cloud content, however, they are able to detain devices.

Your Rights at the Border

• U.S. citizens: Deny the search. Agents have the right to accept you though keep your phone.
• Foreigners: Denial of entry may be refused.

In case of seizure, Form 6051D (custody receipt) and call the Electronic Frontier Foundation (print their pocket guide).

Privacy Checklist Before Boarding a Plane

1. Minimize Devices Use a cleaned up phone or tablet. Stay at home with your major laptop.
2. Risk Audit Clean record + U.S. passport = slim chances. Reporters, politicists, or sensitive worker? Assume inspection.
3. Log Out Everywhere Exit email, banking, social applications. During checks, the airplane blocks cloud access.
4. Cloud Backup + Local Wipe Save it all on encrypted iCloud/Google drive and erase the copies. Install OS updates first.
5. Scrub Sensitive Data
   • Empty chat histories (Recently deleted).
   • Erase Signal/WhatsApp groups; turn-on disappearing messages.
   • Obvious browser history, downloads.
6. Camouflage Apps The icon of Change Signal changes to a generic folder (iOS Shortcuts or Android launcher).
7. Kill Biometrics Disable Face ID/Touch ID. Officers are not allowed to enter a PIN but they can place your face or finger to the sensor.
8. Enable Full-Disk Encryption
   • iOS: iCloud: Enable Advanced Data Protection.
   • Android: Turn on Advanced protection on Google account.
9. Remote Wipe Shortcut Make a home-screen button to destroy the device immediately in case it is frozen.
10. Emergency Contacts Disclose itinerary to dependable partners. Non-citizens: have the number of immigration attorney.

Bottom Line

Searches are rare but rising. An hour of preparation can save hours (or days) of exposure. Pack light, keep your skills private and have your rights.

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News Source: PCmag.com