Thread

Border agents can search cellphones without a warrant or reasonable suspicion

235 points · 198 comments · mmh0000

andix · 1789758288 · focus · HN ↗
Anyone still crossing US borders with electronic devices that aren't fully wiped? This is company policy for some European companies for a long time. Even during the Biden administration.
Most employees just receive a wiped phone/laptop for the duration of the trip. Depending on the country its either a device that only has access to the bare minimum of Services, or for countries like Russia they issue a dumb phone that can only call and text.
1. iamnothere · 1789760337 · focus · HN ↗
  Half of the commenters here seem to believe that nobody has ever done this successfully because it must be “suspicious”. Despite it being a common practice for many organizations.
  1. andix · 1789761196 · focus · HN ↗
    It might be suspicious, but they don't get any incriminating evidence that way. It's also much easier for people visiting. Most of the time entry is denied and you can take the next plane back home. I'm fine with that, don't care. I only care if I would get taken into ICE detention. This risk grew significantly, so I simply won't go.
    FireBeyond · 1789770014 · focus · HN ↗
    You make it sound so "meh, whatever", but there's a few realities attached to this:
    The airline in question will likely not serve you again, but probably more importantly, when you apply for a tourist visa to just about any country on earth, you'll now have to answer that question "Have you ever been denied or refused a visa or entry into a country?" and while some might take sympathy on "Oh, yeah, we get it", you can be sure you'll be getting extra attention and some countries will threaten to deny entry too.
    andix · 1789771491 · focus · HN ↗
    Lol no. Nobody cares. Also airlines don't care.
    Edit: typical US perspective. Something that happens in the US doesn't have relevant implications to the rest of the world.
    FireBeyond · 1789777856 · focus · HN ↗
    Airlines do care. They get assessed a fee for every passenger that is turned around.
    Oh look, Australia cares: <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1563.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1563.pdf
    > Have you, or any other person included in your visa application, ever been removed, deported or excluded from any country (including Australia)?
    Oh look, Germany cares: <a href="https://preview.auswaertiges-amt.de/blueprint/servlet/resource/blob/2490512/37c614c8b884e23e02cdca38f70ab93d/antrag-d-visa-deu-eng-data.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://preview.auswaertiges-amt.de/blueprint/servlet/resour...
    > Have you ever been expelled or deported from the Federal Republic of Germany, had an application for a residence permit rejected, or been refused entry into the Federal Republic of Germany?
    Almost like you're just making shit up based on some anti-US sentiment.
    LOL at your hypocrisy. I am a UK citizen, and I am an Australian citizen, and I am -not- a US citizen, lived and worked in both and in Europe though I am, currently, in the US. But sure, make the same assumptions that you want to think I'm guilty of making.
    andix · 1789778725 · focus · HN ↗
    Just mark "no" on the form and it's no problem anymore. Or mark "yes" and list it. Nothing is going to happen.
    FireBeyond · 1789779404 · focus · HN ↗
    That's the best you got.
    "Just lie on your visa applications, no countries on earth share data with each other and no-one cares except the US and who cares about them, nothing will ever happen to you."
    Cool.
    Actually, the idiocy of this response is even more notable when you learn that many countries will notate it IN YOUR PASSPORT that you were refused entry.
    "Lie on your visa application and hope no immigration officer thumbs through your passport." Stunning advice.

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