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10,000 phone searches in the last two years. 3.3m visitors in March 2024 alone. So something like 0.01% of travellers get their phones searched. How are those

by jl6 2y ago

10,000 phone searches in the last two years. 3.3m visitors in March 2024 alone. So something like 0.01% of travellers get their phones searched. How are those 0.01% selected? > The agency does not provide information on the success rate for searches, but has said a phone would only be seized where officers suspected it had “special forfeited goods” such as “illegal pornography, terrorism-related material and media that has been, or would be, refused classification”. One wonders how such a suspicion is formed.

zensavona 2y ago
Also consider Australians who travel and return home. I have personally had my phone searched 3 times. I know many people who also have the same experience. One time I refused and let them keep the phone, just bought a new iPhone and restored it. Since then I was searched almost every time I went through the airport. After refusing to hand over the code (Politely... I explained that no, there is no terrorism material or similar on my phone, I just object to this practice, which they could not comprehend) I was treated pretty aggressively, had my whole body searched (not strip searched, but groped very well all over), all my luggage taken apart etc.
- b112 2y ago
  The trickster side of me, makes me think you should have made very ... sensual sounds as they groped you. Yes bad idea, but funny idea too.
- stephenr 2y ago
  > I have personally had my phone searched 3 times. I think it's safe to say the first time got you on a shit list. So what triggered the first time? Where were you flying from? Are there any other factors that while not at all indicators of guilt, might make them [suspect] you? It could have been simple racial profiling or it might be context (ie a lone 60 year old dude travelling from Thailand or the Philippines). Like I said neither of these is a sign of guilt but they may cause/contribute to suspicion.

by jl6 2y ago

zensavona 2y ago

Also consider Australians who travel and return home. I have personally had my phone searched 3 times. I know many people who also have the same experience. One time I refused and let them keep the phone, just bought a new iPhone and restored it. Since then I was searched almost every time I went through the airport. After refusing to hand over the code (Politely... I explained that no, there is no terrorism material or similar on my phone, I just object to this practice, which they could not comprehend) I was treated pretty aggressively, had my whole body searched (not strip searched, but groped very well all over), all my luggage taken apart etc.

b112 2y ago
The trickster side of me, makes me think you should have made very ... sensual sounds as they groped you. Yes bad idea, but funny idea too.
stephenr 2y ago
> I have personally had my phone searched 3 times. I think it's safe to say the first time got you on a shit list. So what triggered the first time? Where were you flying from? Are there any other factors that while not at all indicators of guilt, might make them [suspect] you? It could have been simple racial profiling or it might be context (ie a lone 60 year old dude travelling from Thailand or the Philippines). Like I said neither of these is a sign of guilt but they may cause/contribute to suspicion.