One Tech Tip: Locking down your device when crossing borders

LONDON — Planning an international trip? The Canadian government warned travelers in a recent travel advisory that U.S. border agents are entitled to search your electronic devices and “don’t need to provide a reason when requesting a password to open your device.” Some recent cases have made travelers nervous about their privacy, such as when a Brown University professor with a U.S. visa was deported to Lebanon after border agents found a photo of Hezbollah’s leader on her phone. “Before crossing the border, put your device in airplane mode to ensure remote files don’t get downloaded accidentally,” the Canadian government warns. “This is why a border agent can’t simply turn a device on to use a tool like Cellebrite,” Greenberg said. “Even traveling without devices or data that most travelers typically have could attract suspicion and questions.” Also don’t try to hide information on your device, because border agents could find out, the group says.