US Prosecutes American Citizen for Wiping Phone at Border
The U.S. government has charged Sam Tunick, an American citizen, with allegedly using a 'duress password' to wipe his phone during a border search in January 2025 at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Federal agents reportedly detained him and questioned him about child exploitation images, but Tunick’s lawyers argue this was a pretext for investigating his ties to the Stop Cop City movement. Tunick is accused of using GrapheneOS features to erase data by providing authorities with an incorrect password instead of unlocking it directly. The defense claims that agents did not provide a warrant or inform him of his legal rights, and they argue any evidence obtained should be dismissed as unlawful. In response, the government asserts no warrant was required because Tunick had yet to re-enter the U.S. The case has drawn attention due to its implications for digital privacy at border crossings, especially amid increased scrutiny under recent administrations.
Topics: Border Security Digital Rights Privacy US Law