TSA allows travel with AirTag; however, certain other battery-operated trackers may be restricted. This issue is amplified regarding the personal and sensitive data stored on our laptops and phones.
Even though the TSA screening process is lengthy and can be tedious, it was established with security as a priority. TSA was formed following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. A key reason for TSA’s stringent measures concerning laptops stems from an event in February 2016 in Somalia, where an attempt to bomb Daallo Airlines occurred. An explosive device was concealed within a laptop that managed to pass through the X-ray inspection undetected. It detonated mid-flight, injuring two individuals and killing the suspected bomber. To clarify, while the incident is not directly connected to TSA, they learned a valuable lesson from it.
Regarding the inspection of laptops and phones, TSA can assess them to a certain extent. They will perform a basic examination, but nothing extensive or involving personal information. However, customs can be quite intrusive and may even replicate data from your devices if they find it necessary.
