{"id":1450,"date":"2025-04-17T15:42:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bhiggs.x10hosting.com\/japan\/?page_id=1450"},"modified":"2025-04-23T21:47:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T21:47:34","slug":"securing-your-phone","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bhiggs.x10hosting.com\/japan\/securing-your-phone\/","title":{"rendered":"Securing Your Phone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns alignfull stk-block-columns stk-block stk-cf247fd stk-block-background stk--has-background-overlay\" data-block-id=\"cf247fd\"><style>.stk-cf247fd .stk--block-align-cf247fd{align-items:flex-start !important;}.stk-cf247fd {background-color:var(u002du002dtheme-palette-color-4, #000000) !important;background-image:url(https:\/\/bhiggs.x10hosting.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/passportandphone.jpeg) !important;background-attachment:fixed !important;background-repeat:no-repeat !important;background-size:cover !important;min-height:443px !important;align-items:flex-start !important;padding-top:310px !important;padding-right:35px !important;padding-bottom:180px !important;padding-left:35px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;display:flex !important;top:-5px !important;}.stk-cf247fd:before{background-color:var(u002du002dtheme-palette-color-4, #000000) !important;opacity:0 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-cf247fd {padding-top:210px !important;padding-bottom:140px !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-cf247fd stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-cf247fd-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1d93b9f\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1d93b9f\"><style>.stk-1d93b9f-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;min-height:0px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;}.stk-1d93b9f {align-self:flex-start !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;margin-top:-200px !important;top:100px !important;left:-12px !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-1d93b9f-inner-blocks{align-items:flex-start !important;justify-content:center !important;row-gap:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1d93b9f-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk--column-flex stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1d93b9f-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-436ce8b\" id=\"iti\" data-block-id=\"436ce8b\"><style>.stk-436ce8b {margin-bottom:20px !important;top:-21px !important;}.stk-436ce8b .stk-block-heading__text{text-shadow:4px 4px 0px #000000ff !important;font-size:70px !important;color:#fcb900 !important;line-height:1em !important;font-weight:800 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-436ce8b {margin-top:108px !important;margin-bottom:-41px !important;margin-left:47px !important;}.stk-436ce8b .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:50px !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-436ce8b {margin-top:135px !important;margin-left:4px !important;}.stk-436ce8b .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:38px !important;}}<\/style><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-color has-palette-color-8-color has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Securing_Your_Phone_on_Your_Return\"><\/span>Securing Your Phone on Your Return<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-ad51fb0\" data-block-id=\"ad51fb0\"><style>.stk-ad51fb0 {max-width:55% !important;min-width:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important;right:3px !important;left:-100px !important;}.stk-ad51fb0 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:4px 4px 0px #000000ff !important;font-size:38px !important;color:#fcb900 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-ad51fb0 {max-width:100% !important;min-width:auto !important;margin-top:53px !important;margin-left:145px !important;}.stk-ad51fb0 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:38px !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-ad51fb0 {margin-left:16px !important;left:8px !important;}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color has-palette-color-8-color has-text-align-left has-text-align-center-mobile\">Will you be allowed back in?<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-6a8268d\" data-block-id=\"6a8268d\"><style>.stk-6a8268d {height:50px !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-6a8268d {height:90px !important;}}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Things_You_Can_Do_to_Secure_Your_Phone_as_You_Reenter_the_Country_After_Traveling_from_the_AARP\"><\/span>6 Things You Can Do to Secure Your Phone as You Reenter the Country After Traveling (from the AARP)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In some instances, government agents can search your digital devices legally after an international trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-right:0px;margin-left:0px\">From: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/secure-phone-returning-from-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/secure-phone-returning-from-trip\/<\/a><br>by Edward C. Baig, AARP<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published April 02, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Border_Inspections\"><\/span>Border Inspections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These days, you could face extra scrutiny at the border when returning to the United States after a trip to another country. Border agents may inspect your phone, laptop or other digital devices, and they could retain the electronics and\/or the data within it \u2014 even if you\u2019re an American citizen. The measures are legal and don\u2019t require a warrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have previously been able to inspect your devices to, among other security concerns, determine \u201can individual\u2019s intentions\u201d upon entering the U.S. and to potentially \u201ccombat terrorist activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, the number of travelers who\u2019ve been subjected to these searches has been miniscule. In fiscal 2024, it was less than 0.01 percent, according to the agency. That\u2019s about 47,000 international travelers out of the 420 million processed at U.S. ports of entry. Media reports suggest that such searches are on the rise under Trump administration policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s important to note that I do think there\u2019s been an uptick,\u201d says Tom McBrien, counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) advocacy group in Washington. \u201cI do think that uptake is targeted at people who have a higher chance of being politically active, of just being within this administration\u2019s crosshairs, whether it\u2019s because of their last name, or their skin color or their national origin or whatever. \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a guarantee that you\u2019re going to have your device searched at the border,\u201d he says. \u201cBut it\u2019s an increased risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Travel_Abroad_is_Up\"><\/span>Travel Abroad is Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>More older adults expect to travel abroad this year: In late 2024, 44 percent of nearly 2,000 U.S. adults 50 and older planned to take at least one personal trip out of the country in 2025, up from 37 percent last year, according to an AARP survey released in March. Half said the travel would be a \u201cbucket list trip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ted Chiaparri, a New York-based partner at Duane Morris and head of the legal firm\u2019s immigration law group, thinks the chances that your device will be searched as you return remain small. \u201cIt would be surprising to me that an individual would get stopped just because they made an offhand comment critical of President Trump,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Device_Searches\"><\/span>Types of Device Searches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The CBP conducts two types of searches: A <em>basic search<\/em> generally involves an officer examining the contents of your device manually without the use of any special tech gear. As the name hints, an <em>advanced search<\/em> goes further and in theory would occur when officers have a \u201creasonable suspicion\u201d that you\u2019re a national security risk. Under this type of search, an officer can connect your phone or computer to external equipment to \u201creview, copy and\/or analyze its contents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s what you can do to minimize any encounters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Get_familiar_with_your_rights\"><\/span>1. Get familiar with your rights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re not expected to become a legal expert, but you do have rights. For example, the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution puts pretty strict boundaries on what law enforcement is able to do, McBrien says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA lot of those boundaries fall down,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd essentially the rules are largely determined by the courts,\u201d which can vary by jurisdiction. McBrien recommends learning about the area you\u2019re flying or driving into as you return to the U.S. and trying to evaluate the legal and political climate. Of course, if you have to travel somewhere, it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll dramatically alter the route because of politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Turn_off_your_device\"><\/span>2. Turn off your device<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of a wrinkle in constitutional law, an agent can\u2019t force you to type in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/home-family\/personal-technology\/info-2023\/build-better-passwords.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">password or PIN<\/a> to unlock the device, McBrien says. But nothing technically stops an agent from pressuring you to unlock the device with a thumbprint or face scan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you turn off your phone before going through security, the only way to get past the lock screen when powering it up is by entering a password. That potentially makes it more difficult for the agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, if your phone doesn\u2019t already have a passcode, consider adding one before you travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Just_say_no\"><\/span>3. Just say no<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to say, \u201cNo\u201d if a border agent asks you to unlock your device. Moreover, as a citizen you cannot legally be banned from entering the country under such circumstances, a right not afforded to non-citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Be_aware_Agents_can_retain_your_devices\"><\/span>4. Be aware: Agents can retain your devices<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>While border agents can\u2019t bar you from entering, they can seize your device and, with cause, hold it for an indeterminate length of time. What\u2019s more, the CBP can retain copies of information obtained during a search and hold it for up to 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWeighing the relative advantages, do you want to have them seize the device and you\u2019d be without a phone?\u201d Chiappari asks. \u201cOr do you want to just let them look at it, appease them and they won\u2019t find anything that will cause them to arrest you or keep you at the airport for many hours?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Cleanse_your_phone_before_you_travel\"><\/span>5. Cleanse your phone before you travel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re worried about your privacy or the prospect that something could be misinterpreted, remove the potentially damaging content before leaving the country. You can curate social media and wipe away other revealing communications and restore it from a backup later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf there\u2019s a really sensitive conversation happening, delete it before you cross the border,\u201d McBrien says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Travel_with_a_secondary_phone\"><\/span>6. Travel with a secondary phone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You also can travel with an inexpensive and relatively anonymous secondary device or burner phone, one without your contacts, photos and revealing texts. But be aware that having a device with barely any content on it could raise alarm bells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, many people have perfectly plausible reasons why they\u2019re traveling internationally with a phone with only a few basic apps and not much else. You could be on a business trip and have proprietary or client data that your employer dictates must stay in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the steps you take, \u201cIf you show up and [border agents] think you\u2019re suspicious \u2026 whether you\u2019ve got it encrypted or locked, if you\u2019re a person of interest they\u2019re going to take your phone,\u201d Chiappari says. \u201cAnd then they\u2019ll figure out a way to get it unlocked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But most of us are not people of interest, he says. Most people can sleep well at night, breathe easily and not really have to worry about a border search of their electronic devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Securing Your Phone on Your Return Will you be allowed back in? 6 Things You Can Do to Secure Your Phone as You Reenter the Country After Traveling (from the AARP) In some instances, government agents can search your digital devices legally after an international trip. From: https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/secure-phone-returning-from-trip\/by Edward C. 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