Borderline Comedy: Navigating the US Phone Check Fiasco!
Crossing the US border? Prepare for a potential phone search with the help of this WIRED guide. Whether you bring a squeaky-clean travel phone or tidy up your primary device, make sure to adopt some “phone hygiene.” Remember, a phone too clean might raise eyebrows, like a suspiciously spotless teenager’s room!
Hot Take:
When it comes to crossing the US border, you might want to consider swapping your smartphone for a telegraph machine. The Trump administration’s border policies have made tech-savvy travelers feel like they’re in a digital episode of “Survivor,” where the only thing more precarious than your Wi-Fi signal is your personal data. If you ever needed an excuse to finally use that rotary phone, this is it!
Key Points:
- Increased scrutiny and phone searches at the US border under the Trump administration.
- Foreign visitors and US visa holders face detention or deportation for refusing phone searches.
- Travelers advised to use burner phones or clean devices to protect personal data.
- US citizens can refuse searches but may face extra questioning or device seizure.
- Cybersecurity experts recommend data minimization and using secure, encrypted communication apps.
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