Traveling to the US - How to prepare
Traveling to the US - How to prepare
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?
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.
It isn't unusually to take a burner device to a foreign country
Honestly, it depends a lot on where you’re coming from and what you look like
Look European. Don't be Asian and especially don't be African. Got it.
The best advise I can give you is to not draw attention. I live in the US but when even I have traveled abroad and came back they have never asked to see a personal device.
Maybe bring a burner device just in case
Do not take your normal devices in case they are seized for random bullshit reasons. They can and will. They will often be returned to you destroyed and unusable.
Take a device you buy just for this trip. Maybe ditch the tablet instead of buying one for the trip. Do not set up biometrics on it. Do not connect it to your usual services.
Is it a gaurantee this kind of thing will happen? No.
Does this thing happen often enough to foreign travellers to make it worth leaving your main devices behind? Yes.
All that "freedom" is just for US citizens. They absolutely can and will fuck with any and all foreign people. Its stupid.
ITT: A lot of folks with way too much trust in the USA being "reasonable." I'm sorry, but when the TSA interrogates people with autism because they act different you're not convincing me they know what the fuck they're doing or won't harass random fucking people. This "act normal" shit is so stupid say to anyone who is neurodivergent, which is enough for USA security forces to choose to fuck with you.
This is all extremely unlikely unless you are a known enemy of the state or are bringing in illegal goods.
In customs they simply ask you why you're visiting, where you came from, if you're bringing any illegal goods, then let you pass through. If you're flying in, there's usually a huge line of people at the airport and you only end up talking to the customs agent for 10 to 30 seconds.
If you have a very suspicious story that doesn't check out or you're trying to bring in illegal goods to the country or you know that you are doing something nefarious then you should be concerned that they might pull you into a back room. I think all of these concerns are very overblown for the average person though.
When I was reading about whether to bring my phone to China, everyone online had similar recommendations about bringing a new device and it ended up being completely unnecessary. They don't check anyone's phone and they asked no questions other than reason for visiting. When I told my co-workers about my concerns they all thought it was quite comical because they've traveled more than anyone and see this as extreme paranoia.
Of course they could take your phone and put you in jail for any reason they want if they really wanted to, the most important thing is to not give them a reason to. They will only get your phone if you give them a reason in the first place.
Just keep your phone locked/off when you go through the border so it requires a pin.
Does this thing happen often enough to foreign travellers to make it worth leaving your main devices behind? Yes.
I think we have very different definitions of "often"
I've never heard of or scene a device confiscated but it isn't impossible. Generally they would need a reason. Maybe avoid making your device look like a bomb.
If they ask for a device's password and you decline to give it to them, they will "detain" the device. See this comment for some links on the subject.
If you are doing something illegal then you should definitely bring a new device. If you are not doing something illegal then you should just bring your normal device and keep it locked/off when entering.
They can force biometrics but not pin, but they will only do that if you're already in super deep trouble for breaking the law. Just be normal and you'll have no issues.
Also don't say or do anything that draws attention. Do not joke about blowing up planes while going though air port security. It is really dumb but people do it anyway. Also don't bring Firearms but hopefully that is very obvious
(I don’t know your sex, so if this doesn’t apply, disregard it.)
Depending on what state you’re going to, make sure you’re not using any ovulation tracking apps. If you are or might be pregnant, it’s dangerous to go to red states right now, especially if the authorities know about it.
dangerous?
I’m not from the us
The US Federal government no longer protects reproductive freedoms like they did a few years ago, so some states have been cracking down on procedures like abortion and using data from places like Facebook to gather evidence. Depending on the state, having this data might lead to legal headache, but I'm not sure how likely that is.
People keep saying that they can’t for e you to enter your pin, but they can enforce biometrics.
I’m pretty sure that immigration in the US can just confiscate your devices if you are not a citizen .
Yeah, everyone keeps saying stuff like the US respects the rights of foreigners. They don't.
A foreigner who is in the US legally can own a business, run for political office, own land, have a professional job like doctor, teacher, lawyer.
I am a US citizen but live in a foreign country as a resident and I can’t do any of those things here even though I am here legally. Only citizens are allowed to do those things here.
So in that regard, I’d say the US respects foreigners right.
I’m pretty sure that immigration in the US can just confiscate your devices if you are not a citizen .
CBP can and does "detain" travelers' devices at (or near) the border, without a warrant or any stated cause, even if they are US citizens.
Here is part of the notice they give people when they do:
Maybe what I was thinking was that they can’t deny entry to citizens. Im not sure exactly, but there was some benefit citizens had.
Take only fresh installed devices with you with only the absolute necessary data and applications. Create a new email address for anything on this device.
When going through customs, turn your devices off, and make sure they're pin or password locked.
They still can try to compel you to open them by saying they won't let you go, and they can keep you detained for a long time.
Disable fingerprint and face scan.
Ya don't go. /s
But for real, so many better places to visit in the world.
But definitely remove biometrics at minimum.
If your OS allows you could setup a dummy user profile and have your phone on that at the border?
if you have grapheneos they just recently added the ability to set a "security pin" that starts an uninterruptable wipe with no restart needed. Just make sure its not something you can pocket fumble accidentally.
Don't try to wipe your device in airport security. That is a very bad idea. Just walk though and don't do anything that could be a threat. As it turns out the security people don't want to waste time.
Or just removing my biometrics?
Ultimately you shouldn't cross the US border carrying devices or encrypted data which you aren't prepared to unlock for DHS/CBP, unless you're willing to lose the hardware and/or be denied entry if/when you refuse to comply.
If they decide to, you'll be handed this: "You are receiving this document because CBP intends to conduct a border search of your electronic device(s). This may include copying and retaining data contained in the device(s). [...] Failure to assist CBP in accessing the electronic device and its contents for examination may result in the detention of the device in order to complete the inspection."
Device searches were happening a few hundred times each month circa 2009 (the most recent data i could find in a quick search) but, given other CBP trends, presumably they've become more frequent since then.
In 2016 they began asking some visa applicants for social media usernames, and then expanded it to most applicants in 2019, and the new administration has continued that policy. I haven't found any numbers about how often they actually deny people entry for failing to disclose a social media account.
In 2017 they proposed adding the authority to also demand social media passwords but at least that doesn't appear to have been implemented.
Well, on my ESTA, they said the social medias disclosure is optional. Just a tool to help you confirm your intents visiting the US (or to be withheld against you as well) https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en&focusedTopic=Privacy and Security&answerToDisplay=How will CBP use my social media information collected through the additional question that was added to the ESTA application in December 2016%3F
Wipe your phone, restore from backup once you’re in.
Honestly, if you have any older or formatted devices I'd just bring those.
Don't carry huge amounts of cash. Our police will steal it from you saying they think it was ill-gotten and you have to go to court to get it back. It's called civil forfeit.
Turn off biometrics. You can be compelled to submit a fingerprint or pose for a camera. You can't be compelled to reveal something you know (self-incrimination). Though that hasn't stopped at least one judge from keeping someone indefinitely detained.
For the most part, our country isn't a nightmare. But it can become one very easily under certain conditions. This is the rare outcome you hope to avoid that realistically won't occur for most visitors.
Buy a gun
Come on, don't give them objectively terrible advice.
Although it's the most 'Murican advice! Which doesn't help make it less terrible.
I think you're overthinking it. I used to go into the US often for business and I have never had any of my electronic devices searched. The best advice is to leave your phone at home and buy a cheaper pre-paid travel phone. Not because of privacy but what if it's lost, stolen, or confiscated? It's no big deal losing a burner phone.
For all hard drives you are looking to bring, look into plausible deniability using a hidden volume. Veracrypt supports this.