So far I have been lucky. My passport has lots of "stamps" on it and I have never even been asked to turn a device on. Usually I am pre-check. I would never be carrying the laptop I am making this post on though. Scary stuff in that article, and many like it.
This isn't exactly new, and to some extent neglects the human factor. You want to be cooperative and truthful at all times. Basically, I think that means leaving devices behind and therefore not providing anything to access. Data downloaded later, or posted. The social media account request is troubling, especially to those who don't have one. Above all else - don't be a smarty-pants: I vividly recall (many years ago) the fate of a sales guy from our company who was both lubricated and arrogant going through the border, came out some time later after a cavity search...
My personal rule of thumb is that ANY device, which I lose physical control of, will be replaced without exception. If I know, or suspect, that some person had it in their possession, and super especially if it was out of my sight for even a few minutes, replacement is not an option. I don't care about my Android, I am referring to a device which is used for and contains sensitive "paths".
Yes, devices are easy: don't carry ones that matter. But access to social media is far tougher. How does one decline, without attracting attention? And if you're not a citizen, they can just turn you away.
EFF Border Search Pocket Guide (PDF) See also: EFF presents: a guide to protecting your data privacy when crossing the US border https://boingboing.net/2017/03/09/liminal-states.html -- Tom
How to protect your phone or computer when crossing borders September 20, 2018 https://protonmail.com/blog/border-crossing-protect-electronics/
Just don't carry anything that you don't want found. No devices containing sensitive data. No illegal drugs, or other contraband. Passwords are a touchier issue. If you have social media accounts that are readily discoverable, lying about them could just make things worse. The best bet is keeping your real-name social media activity totally innocuous. Compartmentalize! Anything iffy should use other personas. And that stuff should not be linkable to your real identity. So you can just not disclose any of it.
Yeah, sort of. Damn, that brings back horrible memories Fax spam! And fax DDoS, depleting victims' paper supplies!
So there is an alternative to taking a photo, getting it printed, faxing it to my friends, only to have them call me and ask what it was in the low quality black and white blurred image that was of interest?
What to do when US law enforcement asks for your password May 3, 2019 https://www.androidauthority.com/what-to-do-when-police-ask-for-your-password-privacy-982219/
