How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border

As a traveler entering the United States, you may be subject to having your electronic devices searched at the border by customs and border protection officers. To protect your privacy and sensitive information, here are some tips to follow:

1. Enable a strong passcode or biometric authentication on your phone to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Disable functionalities like Face ID or Touch ID to prevent officers from forcing you to unlock your device.

3. Consider using a secondary phone with limited personal information for travel purposes.

4. Encrypt your device and enable remote wiping in case it gets seized.

5. Store sensitive information in a secure cloud storage or encrypted app instead of on your phone.

6. Avoid traveling with unnecessary data or files on your device.

7. Do not provide passwords or passcodes unless legally required to do so.

8. Familiarize yourself with your rights at the border and know what officers can and cannot do when searching your devices.

9. Be prepared to assert your rights respectfully if you feel your privacy is being violated.

10. Seek legal advice if you believe your rights have been infringed upon during a phone search.