I’m traveling to the US mainland for the first time in my life in a few weeks.
I am not overly stressed about privacy, but I have read that US immigration can really overstep their boundaries. Are there any simple specific steps to take on my devices to protect my privace when going through US border control?
Remove my main accounts from my phone/tablet and use dummy accounts? Or just removing my biometrics?
While using a clean phone with nothing on it sounds like a good plan, it also looks very suspicious and can attract more attention. So take that into account when traveling regardless of the destination. Just like anonymization on your browser, the goal is to blend in, not stand out.
Honestly, it depends a lot on where you’re coming from and what you look like. And to be frank, it’s a little overblown to be paranoid enough to go that far, unless you are a high profile person of interest like a journalist or someone involved in politics. If you’re just an ordinary bloke going on vacation or attending a conference, you will be fine with basic precautions.
It isn’t unusually to take a burner device to a foreign country
For people in this community, sure. Compared to the general population, not really. Imagine an international airport on a typical busy day. The number of people going through that aiport who are using burner phones is almost negligible.
My point is that they aren’t going arrest you over it. Also they don’t see what’s on your phone nor do the randomly seal it. It isn’t New Zealand quiet yet.
If you are doing something illegal then you should definitely bring a new device. If you are not doing something illegal then you should just bring your normal device and keep it locked/off when entering.
They can force biometrics but not pin, but they will only do that if you’re already in super deep trouble for breaking the law. Just be normal and you’ll have no issues.
Also don’t say or do anything that draws attention. Do not joke about blowing up planes while going though air port security. It is really dumb but people do it anyway. Also don’t bring Firearms but hopefully that is very obvious
The best advise I can give you is to not draw attention. I live in the US but when even I have traveled abroad and came back they have never asked to see a personal device.
Maybe bring a burner device just in case
Do not take your normal devices in case they are seized for random bullshit reasons. They can and will. They will often be returned to you destroyed and unusable.
Take a device you buy just for this trip. Maybe ditch the tablet instead of buying one for the trip. Do not set up biometrics on it. Do not connect it to your usual services.
Is it a gaurantee this kind of thing will happen? No.
Does this thing happen often enough to foreign travellers to make it worth leaving your main devices behind? Yes.
All that “freedom” is just for US citizens. They absolutely can and will fuck with any and all foreign people. Its stupid.
ITT: A lot of folks with way too much trust in the USA being “reasonable.” I’m sorry, but when the TSA interrogates people with autism because they act different you’re not convincing me they know what the fuck they’re doing or won’t harass random fucking people. This “act normal” shit is so stupid say to anyone who is neurodivergent, which is enough for USA security forces to choose to fuck with you.
This is all extremely unlikely unless you are a known enemy of the state or are bringing in illegal goods.
In customs they simply ask you why you’re visiting, where you came from, if you’re bringing any illegal goods, then let you pass through. If you’re flying in, there’s usually a huge line of people at the airport and you only end up talking to the customs agent for 10 to 30 seconds.
If you have a very suspicious story that doesn’t check out or you’re trying to bring in illegal goods to the country or you know that you are doing something nefarious then you should be concerned that they might pull you into a back room. I think all of these concerns are very overblown for the average person though.
When I was reading about whether to bring my phone to China, everyone online had similar recommendations about bringing a new device and it ended up being completely unnecessary. They don’t check anyone’s phone and they asked no questions other than reason for visiting. When I told my co-workers about my concerns they all thought it was quite comical because they’ve traveled more than anyone and see this as extreme paranoia.
Of course they could take your phone and put you in jail for any reason they want if they really wanted to, the most important thing is to not give them a reason to. They will only get your phone if you give them a reason in the first place.
Just keep your phone locked/off when you go through the border so it requires a pin.
You really want to reason with the unreasonable?
I guess all those neurodivergent people constantly harassed by the TSA for “being suspicious” just need to “act normal” for once! /s
Does this thing happen often enough to foreign travellers to make it worth leaving your main devices behind? Yes.
I think we have very different definitions of “often”
Doesn’t need to happen often, its a possibility for x number of people passing thru the borders any given day. They have the legal right to force your biometrics to unlock your device. Removing it ahead of time is prudent.
If you breeze thru no problems; no harm no foul, just add your thumb again.
I thought if the device was off, or just booted, or in lockdown mode, then biometrics could not be used without entering the password first?
Yup! Holding power and volume up or down on an iPhone for a few seconds will lock it and require a password before it will unlock again.
I’ve never heard of or scene a device confiscated but it isn’t impossible. Generally they would need a reason. Maybe avoid making your device look like a bomb.
People keep saying that they can’t for e you to enter your pin, but they can enforce biometrics.
I’m pretty sure that immigration in the US can just confiscate your devices if you are not a citizen .
Yeah, everyone keeps saying stuff like the US respects the rights of foreigners. They don’t.
(I don’t know your sex, so if this doesn’t apply, disregard it.)
Depending on what state you’re going to, make sure you’re not using any ovulation tracking apps. If you are or might be pregnant, it’s dangerous to go to red states right now, especially if the authorities know about it.
Only if you are looking for an abortion. However, from a privacy perspective it is best to keep all that data private for obvious reasons.
If there’s an emergency, and you need an abortion to save your life, they’ll let you die.
Okay, yes, but what does this have to do with my period tracking apps?
If they find out you’re pregnant, some states will arrest you for trying to leave the state to seek an abortion. Basically, they’ll make sure you die before you can get an abortion.
dangerous?
I’m not from the us
The US Federal government no longer protects reproductive freedoms like they did a few years ago, so some states have been cracking down on procedures like abortion and using data from places like Facebook to gather evidence. Depending on the state, having this data might lead to legal headache, but I’m not sure how likely that is.
Take only fresh installed devices with you with only the absolute necessary data and applications. Create a new email address for anything on this device.
Wipe your phone, restore from backup once you’re in.
This is actually the best answer here. It’s a good habit for any border crossing.
Disable fingerprint and face scan.
Ya don’t go. /s
But for real, so many better places to visit in the world.
But definitely remove biometrics at minimum.
If your OS allows you could setup a dummy user profile and have your phone on that at the border?
if you have grapheneos they just recently added the ability to set a “security pin” that starts an uninterruptable wipe with no restart needed. Just make sure its not something you can pocket fumble accidentally.
Don’t try to wipe your device in airport security. That is a very bad idea. Just walk though and don’t do anything that could be a threat. As it turns out the security people don’t want to waste time.
