# Documenting Phone Searches by US Customs and Border Protection: Key Information You Should Have
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently disclosed a notable rise in the volume of phone searches carried out on individuals entering or returning to the United States. In the previous quarter, nearly 15,000 devices were examined, setting a new record for the agency.
## The Rise in Device Inspections
Per newly disclosed statistics from CBP, the agency conducted searches on 14,899 devices from April to June of this year. This number eclipses the previous peak of 12,766 searches performed from January to March 2022 by 16.7%. While these inspections cover a variety of electronic devices, it is probable that most are smartphones. The scope of these inspections can range from a quick manual check to thorough forensic investigations involving complete backups of devices.
## Alarm from Civil Rights Organizations
Civil rights groups have expressed concerns about the ramifications of these searches, especially for individuals like journalists and civil rights attorneys who might hold sensitive information on their gadgets. Esha Bhandari, a deputy director at the American Civil Liberties Union, highlighted the chilling impact these searches could exert on all travelers, asserting that the authority claimed by CBP to execute searches without a warrant is virtually boundless.
## The Judicial Framework
The legal context surrounding these inspections is intricate, particularly for US citizens. Generally, courts have determined that border zones do not fall under the protections of the Fourth Amendment, indicating that a search warrant is unnecessary. Nevertheless, there has been at least one federal court decision that disputes this interpretation. While US citizens cannot be refused entry for declining a search, their devices can be confiscated, and they may encounter additional questioning.
For non-citizens, the legal circumstances are more straightforward. CBP retains the power to deny entry for any reason, which encompasses the obligation to present devices for examination upon request.
## Safeguarding Your Privacy
If you are worried about the potential of a device inspection, several measures can help protect your privacy:
1. **Disable Biometrics**: Turn off features such as Face ID and Touch ID to obstruct access to your device during a search. Legal precedents indicate that although you cannot be forced to share a passcode, you might be compelled to provide a fingerprint or facial scan.
2. **Update Your Device**: Make sure your device is operating on the most recent version of its operating system and set a strong alphanumeric passcode.
3. **Remove Sensitive Applications**: If you are concerned about a search, think about deleting applications that contain sensitive information, like messaging apps, and reinstalling them after your trip.
4. **Utilize a Travel Phone**: Some travelers, particularly those with sensitive data, choose to use a separate phone for traveling. This device should not appear as an obvious “burner” phone but should be used normally for a few days prior to travel to avoid raising suspicion.
By implementing these precautions, travelers can enhance the protection of their personal information while dealing with the intricacies of border security.
