- Samuel Tunick was charged for allegedly entering a duress password that wiped his GrapheneOS phone, which he claims is an attempt by the U.S. government to intimidate activists from protecting their data.
- The case stems from Tunick's involvement in the Stop Cop City movement in Atlanta, and has drawn attention from privacy and civil liberties groups.
- Tunick was stopped at the airport by DHS agents who searched his bags and person without his consent, then demanded his phone; he gave a code that triggered the duress wipe feature.
- After the phone was wiped, Tunick was released but indicted a year later for destroying digital contents, facing up to five years in prison.
- Tunick argues the prosecution is part of a broader pattern of government repression against activists, citing RICO charges, the Prairieland case, and new surveillance policies.
- He experienced prior surveillance including a hidden camera, car tracker, and subpoenaed phone records, which he believes were meant to intimidate him and discourage activism.