I’m traveling to the US mainland for the first time in my life in a few weeks.
I am not overly stressed about privacy, but I have read that US immigration can really overstep their boundaries. Are there any simple specific steps to take on my devices to protect my privace when going through US border control?
Remove my main accounts from my phone/tablet and use dummy accounts? Or just removing my biometrics?
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While using a clean phone with nothing on it sounds like a good plan, it also looks very suspicious and can attract more attention. So take that into account when traveling regardless of the destination. Just like anonymization on your browser, the goal is to blend in, not stand out.
Honestly, it depends a lot on where you’re coming from and what you look like. And to be frank, it’s a little overblown to be paranoid enough to go that far, unless you are a high profile person of interest like a journalist or someone involved in politics. If you’re just an ordinary bloke going on vacation or attending a conference, you will be fine with basic precautions.
Look European. Don’t be Asian and especially don’t be African. Got it.
It isn’t unusually to take a burner device to a foreign country
For people in this community, sure. Compared to the general population, not really. Imagine an international airport on a typical busy day. The number of people going through that aiport who are using burner phones is almost negligible.
It wouldn’t necessarily just be burner phones. Many people wouldn’t want to take a valuable phone traveling in case it gets stolen. Or maybe their phone isn’t compatible with the US’s networks.
My point is that they aren’t going arrest you over it. Also they don’t see what’s on your phone nor do the randomly seal it. It isn’t New Zealand quiet yet.