US accuses American of wiping phone using a duress password during border search
4 hours ago
- The U.S. Justice Department is prosecuting Samuel Tunick for allegedly using a 'duress' password to wipe his phone's data before border authorities seized it, marking the first known case of such charges.
- Tunick's phone ran GrapheneOS, a custom Android OS with a feature that allows a special passcode to erase device contents when entered.
- Tunick's attorneys argue the seizure was unlawful, claiming he was denied legal counsel and not informed of his rights during secondary inspection at Atlanta airport.
- The motion to suppress evidence alleges the government investigated Tunick for his association with the Defend the Atlanta Forest movement, not for child exploitation imagery as claimed.
- Security experts note this is a novel case, highlighting risks for travelers with sensitive data and suggesting avoiding carrying data when crossing borders.
- The federal court will decide on Tunick's motion to suppress later in 2025.