4 ms·

I don't travel much, especially recently, so this may not be worth the hassle for frequent travellers, but I factory reset before going overseas, or use a non-c

I don't travel much, especially recently, so this may not be worth the hassle for frequent travellers, but I factory reset before going overseas, or use a non-current phone to take overseas. Whence through customs etc, reinstall only the essential apps for the trip, just remember your passwords or your single password to your password manager. You can also spread about an encrypted set of instructions amongst free email hosting. Some people would say it's a hassle, but it keeps customs' nose out of my private life. I'm getting to an age where it's not necessarily weird to have the appearance of barely any online presence.

bzxcvbn 4y ago
I have traveled a lot over the past few years, including several times through hostile customs (eg USA). I have never had any of them go through my phone or even ask to see it. And to be quite frank, I don't see what use a border agent or the government would use from my phone that they couldn't get in a different, simpler, less blatant way. I'm not sure what threat model you're fighting against, but it may exist only in your mind.
- nicbou 4y ago
  Same. 50+ countries and I only had to turn my laptop on for the TSA.
  - Dr_ReD 4y ago
    It happens. Especially to people on such lists as activists, journalists, etc. I'm not joking, look it up: https://www.google.com/search?q=phone+unlocked+at+customs https://www.google.com/search?q=phone+unlocked+at+customs
  - drstewart 4y ago
    The TSA only cares that the laptop is operable (e.g. not masquerading as something else), not the contents
- BLKNSLVR 4y ago
  I've been raided by the police before, so my threat model went up a couple of notches as a result of that. It's a relatively recent incident and a story I'll be telling in detail at some point soon, I hope.
- the_only_law 4y ago
  I’ve heard so many nasty things about customs recently. Down to officers straight up insulting people coming in.

bzxcvbn 4y ago

I have traveled a lot over the past few years, including several times through hostile customs (eg USA). I have never had any of them go through my phone or even ask to see it. And to be quite frank, I don't see what use a border agent or the government would use from my phone that they couldn't get in a different, simpler, less blatant way. I'm not sure what threat model you're fighting against, but it may exist only in your mind.

nicbou 4y ago
Same. 50+ countries and I only had to turn my laptop on for the TSA.
- Dr_ReD 4y ago
  It happens. Especially to people on such lists as activists, journalists, etc. I'm not joking, look it up: https://www.google.com/search?q=phone+unlocked+at+customs https://www.google.com/search?q=phone+unlocked+at+customs
- drstewart 4y ago
  The TSA only cares that the laptop is operable (e.g. not masquerading as something else), not the contents
BLKNSLVR 4y ago
I've been raided by the police before, so my threat model went up a couple of notches as a result of that. It's a relatively recent incident and a story I'll be telling in detail at some point soon, I hope.
the_only_law 4y ago
I’ve heard so many nasty things about customs recently. Down to officers straight up insulting people coming in.