Stopped at CBP, "random inspection" I had to forfeit my laptop and phone passwords..

Hello all, to remain anonymous, I was stopped at border crossing into the US from Canada (I am American Citizen), and as a young male I was subject to a full car inspection. Though then they took my laptop and phone and requested my password and went behind closed doors to look through them for about 30 min. They claim that nothing was stored or sent, only looked at and I was free to go. Now I know they probably saw my Tor Browser and electrum wallet but he probably didnt know what they were. Should I have reason to believe that they bugged my laptop or is there any reason I shouldnt keep accessing TOR through my PC? Thanks for the help


Comments


[15 Points] 7dade5f8280836cce61d:

They are lying about not storing anything. They have your password now. This is the government you voted for, deal with it.

Also, terrible opsec to not use tails.


[14 Points] Threwawayobservation:

You HAD to or they asked you to? If they just asked you to, I'd think you could've tell them to fuck off.


[11 Points] prttyrvegrl:

Apparently this is becoming more common. I've heard both American and Canadian border guards are starting to ask for passwords to phones and laptops. And yes, they will search them. If you refuse, they will detain you. Don't bother making up some lie about someone else having your passwords - think about it, that sounds suspicious af. Why would someone else have passwords to devices that are supposed to be YOUR personal phone and laptop? And whether you have those passwords or not - they'll fuckin' detain you if they want to.

Don't want to give them the password? They'll take your phone, plug it into a computer, and search that shit themselves. Reputable news sources have reported on this happening. I've seen comments in the Canada subreddit that talk about this. They search your photos, your social media if you have those apps on your phone, anything. They WILL look and they WILL store information. What are you going to do about it? Are you aware of how little rights you actually have at a border crossing? Sure, if you're a citizen they have to let you across at some point but they can sure as hell ruin your day in the process.

If you're honestly concerned about your personal phone being searched when you plan to cross the border, the best thing you can do is install an app on your phone that'll give access to a sort of "dummy account" on your phone upon entering a certain passcode, whereas you can still have your real passcode and that'll unlock your actual info on your phone. Make the dummy account look legit and you should be alright. These apps do exist but I personally do not use them because I employ a burner phone and I don't use social media nor do I store much shit on my phone outside of photos.

Until this makes it to the supreme courts don't expect it to change - they will abuse this power until they are told they cannot have it anymore.

This is the cost of exchanging freedom for "security". I said it years ago and I'll still say it. They will continue removing our rights to our privacy under the guise of "protection". And people will continue to let them.


[11 Points] None:

[deleted]


[6 Points] schwillynelson89:

that's sketchy as fuck and sounds rather unconstitutional. i would not have let that shit fly nope.


[5 Points] None:

Are you brown?

Did they ask or tell you to turn over your laptop/cellphone?

What would have happened if you declined? Tear your car up more? Detain?


[4 Points] None:

Why didn't you encrypt your stuff?


[4 Points] DJWalnut:

when in doubt, throw it out

if police have looked at something behind closed doors, assume the worst. they aren't your friend

any data on the laptop should be assumed compromised, act accordingly. I hope that you didn't have many coins in that wallet.

next time, don't cross the border with anything


[3 Points] 18_Farralon_Ave:

Was this at a Midwest, Pacific, or Eastern crossing??


[2 Points] None:

sounds like a celebrite or whatever the technical term is. Its not good tho, its when they plug your phone into a machine an store everything .


[2 Points] None:

I make >15 flights a year, go to so many places all over the world and traveler trains and buses although been searched at the border only once im my life (visiting Iran and Kosovo in 1month time triggered border police attention). Listening for you guys stories sounds scary


[1 Points] ThisIsTheCoolPart67:

Yes this happens all the time..was there something you did/something that happened to raise suspicion? A drug doggy smelling you all friendly-like? You seemed nervous? Drug residue possible on ANYTHING on your person, in your luggage?

They will ask for passwords...if you refuse, maybe they can search it after hacking it...not sure if they can or do actually do this.

If you refused, they would not detain you...well MAYBE. But only detain, to scare you into ratting your passwords, or that you have bud shoved up your ass.

If you never rat on yourself and you have no drugs or Captain Pickard on your phone/pc, then they would kick you back into Canada...or the US, not sure on the intricacies of US CBP, only CAN CBP...though they are very similar.

All in all you are fine. I would back up photos and wipe/reinstall just to have peace of mind.

If they bugged or copied sensitive data and you somehow had proof, it could cause them a shitstorm...specially if you had no ill intentions. They wouldnt risk that..i think.


[1 Points] kemolytics:

I would rather die before divulging my keys to anyone international or domestic.


[1 Points] RufusOnslatt:

Would it be possible to mail your laptop and phone across the border?


[1 Points] None:

Watch Border Security on Netflix. Both the US and Canada do this to anyone that is referred for inspection.


[1 Points] BYOlean:

About a year ago I was busted at the canadian border going from US to CA (American Citizen) with 30 grams of weed. Nothing really happend, but I am flagged for the next 7 years and every time I have gone across since, my phone gets raped by border control. It is pretty annoying, but I have learned to just clean off all my shit before crossing and don't even have a password on it, makes the process go quicker. The first time I went through after I got caught though was quite the hoot, had a ton of pictures of a legal grow op in WA state and a bunch of naked pictures of my ex who was with me at the time. Border patrol was like wtffff lol


[1 Points] whatisopsec:

Why give them your password? You do not have to. They can seize your items but have to return them in a reasonable amount of time.


[1 Points] crushdudes:

My main concern about this shit is that it''ll stop me from getting back into the US, because I don't have a phone, or much of an online presence.


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[0 Points] mymuse100:

Child porn