An Appeals Court panel has ruled that federal agents can legally search through travelers’ cell phones without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a warrant when they cross an international border.

  • FunnySalt@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    1 day ago

    With protesting and dissent nearing illegality, It’s no longer safe to have password managers, browser history or social media on your phone. (at borders for now)

    I had not considered the risk of having a password manager on my phone and being cohered to unlock it. There’s nothing dissentious there to find so I’m not concerned about that (don’t infer from that that I think it’s acceptable that they can look, I do not). But what’s to stop them from stealing financial login info while they’re at it? That’s the worry that just triggered.

    If you express any public dissent toward the administration, you should consider traveling with a dumb phone or a burner, not connected to your email/social online services/password systems.

    Traveling with a dumb phone isn’t always viable. A recent example I can think of is I had to scan a QR code and fill out a customs form on a website. There was not a paper based alternative. But a burner works.

    • rumba@lemmy.zip
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      23 hours ago

      Yeah, that and actually taking decent pictures. If you just need a function, you can get non-flagship Android burners really cheap, or just keep a previous phone, wipe it, and travel with an eSIM.

      My primary concern isn’t so much what i’m saying now, but what they think about it later if we keep heading toward darker times.

      • FunnySalt@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        22 hours ago

        Yeah, that and actually taking decent pictures.

        Cheap phone + nice camera is another option. But with the downside of more to pack and carry around.

        My primary concern isn’t so much what i’m saying now, but what they think about it later if we keep heading toward darker times.

        … yeah that feels entirely possible. Valid concern.

        • rumba@lemmy.zip
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          21 hours ago

          In the early 00’s there were a few nice cameras with a 3x zoom that would fit in an altoids tin.

          I think most of the current crop of micro cameras are toys :(