When planning a journey overseas, itโs important to be aware that border checks might involve your electronic devices, particularly when entering countries like the United States, where scrutiny can be stringent. The Canadian government recently issued a travel advisory alerting that U.S. border agents have the authority to search electronic devices and request passwords without providing a reason.
Recent incidents have intensified privacy concerns among travelers. For instance, a Brown University professor was deported to Lebanon after U.S. border agents identified a photo on her phone associated with Hezbollahโs leader. This incident underlines the reality that while complete privacy at borders is unrealistic, there are steps you can take to protect your personal data.
Patricia Egger, head of security at Proton Mail, advises preemptive measures to safeguard privacy. These steps include minimizing the amount of personal information on devices, utilizing temporary or โburnerโ phones that store only necessary travel data, and relying on encrypted cloud services for sensitive information that you delete from the original device.
Encrypting the storage and using strong passwords is crucial, and travelers should disable fingerprint or facial recognition features in favor of a PIN or passcode to enhance security. At border checks, there are two types of searches: basic and advanced. Basic searches involve scrolling through your device, while advanced ones may involve copying data for detailed analysis and require higher authorization, except in cases of national security threats.
Sophia Cope from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) highlights how unpredictable these searches can be. U.S. Customs and Border Protection performed over 47,000 electronic device searches last year, a dramatic increase from a decade ago. Searches can be arbitrary, stemming from mere suspicion about a travelerโs appearance or travel history, and can even be conducted at the request of other agencies.
Upon arrival at borders, itโs recommended to switch off devices to prevent access to any connected services. U.S. border protocols specify that agents can only view locally stored data, not cloud-based content, thus maintaining airplane mode is advisable. Travelers should be aware of cached data that remains accessible even with connectivity disabled.
If you refuse device searches, there are consequences. While U.S. citizens cannot be refused entry, they might face delays or have devices seized. Foreign nationals may be denied entry for noncompliance. If compelled to unlock a device, itโs recommended to do so personally rather than sharing credentials, and to change passwords immediately afterward.
Skipping biometric locks, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, is safer. These methods can be exploited by border agents against your consent. Powering off devices also shields against complex hacking attempts, as data encryption keys are only accessible after unlocking the device via passcode upon reboot, as Will Greenberg from EFF explains.
To protect against social media searches, removing apps before crossings and reinstalling them later can prevent inadvertent data exposure. Not just phones and laptops, but all electronic devices like smartwatches and cameras are subject to search.
Avoid extreme measures like erasing devices completely, which might raise suspicions. Travelers are better off maintaining a typical digital footprint while avoiding deception. Knowing the digital search laws of destination countries is also vital; for example, the UK can enforce the surrender of devices and access credentials under anti-terrorism laws.
Understanding these nuances and preparing adequately can mitigate the risks associated with digital searches during international travel.