I’ve seen this a lot recently. This isn’t about what police can do, it’s about border crossings. You can be required to unlock your device when entering the country or be denied entry (or possibly worse).
The best route is to have a phone specifically for travel.
I’ve seen this a lot recently. This isn’t about what police can do, it’s about border crossings. You can be required to unlock your device when entering the country or be denied entry (or possibly worse).
The best route is to have a phone specifically for travel.
Sure seems like it’s about what police can do. And no, they cannot force you to do that.
This article and thread are talking about border agents, which operate under different rules/regulations than you local police officer.
While US citizens cannot be denied entry, non-citizens can if they refuse to unlock their phone. Even US citizens can have devices confiscated if you refuse to unlock the phone for them - https://www.theverge.com/policy/634264/customs-border-protection-search-phone-airport-rights. Because at the border, it’s been decided searches don’t require a warrant.