Hello,

I am trying to gather some information on steps, procedures, and options for increasing privacy while crossing into the US.

My girlfriend goes to school in Canada and crosses the borders frequently throughout the year for; long weekends, extended holiday breaks, semester breaks, and summer breaks.

She’ll be going back to Canada for this next year and with everything happening she’s asked me to help her find ways to limit her exposure to data being reviewed or stored as she’s studying a more Social/Liberal Arts degree which could flag her as a target because of the current political climate.

I’ve also suggested possibly limiting border crossing instead of coming back as often as she used to.

I’m working through articles and finding things from EFF and ACLU, but would happily taken suggestions, guidance, or any direction from anyone willing to share.

I’ve considered trying to find a way for her to backup her devices, maybe store those backups in the cloud, create “decoy” states of her devices (elaboration below), then restore the original state of the devices once she’s safely past the border.

Devices:

iPhone 11 [18.6]

MacBook Air 13 [Possibly Sequoia 15.5, as stated in her iCloud, she doesn’t have it with her right now]

For “decoy” device states, I mean having some apps and data on the devices, but nothing identifying/or that might otherwise give agencies data to further search (online account names/services, stored passwords, large collections of contacts/message histories, etc.)

I’ve suggested trying to switch to android/PC devices to provide alternative privacy/security options, but her family pays for the devices so it’s just the same brand as whatever they have. So, that’s not an option at this point, but any statements regarding increased effectiveness, or even lack thereof, by switching to different brand devices may help with any future transition considerations.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read through my post and any guidance you might be able to provide is highly appreciated.

  • DominusOfMegadeus@sh.itjust.works
    21·
    2 days ago

    Yeah, she can back up to iCloud, wipe the devices, cross over, then restore from iCloud. But why? Are they looking at the files on her MacBook or something?

    EDIT: She should absolutely back up to iCloud and delete before crossing. Have a secondary “fake” email to use or something if they ask. Get a second cheap burner SIM to swap in during crossing. iPhone 11 should still take physical SIMs. With those steps taken, I can’t see how they could determine what social media she does or does not actually have.

    • Otter@lemmy.caEnglish
      8·
      2 days ago

      https://globalnews.ca/news/11344109/us-border-phone-searches-data/

      U.S. border agents are searching travellers’ smartphones and other electronic devices at a record rate, new data suggests amid a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.

      The U.S. State Department said in June it would require all international student visa applicants to allow their social media to be reviewed for content deemed hostile to U.S. interests, and could reject anyone who doesn’t make their accounts public.

      Earlier this year, the Canadian government updated its travel advice for people entering the U.S., warning travellers to “expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices.”

    • Brickfrog@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      4·
      2 days ago

      Are they looking at the files on her MacBook or something?

      If the apps are logged in yes, that’s what they do. The agents have a lot of discretion so it’s sort of up to them how much they want to search around on a phone/laptop/whatever but I assume they would look at every single social media app for starters. Essentially any app currently logged into an electronic device would be fair game for an agent to review. And since CPB can ask for your phone/whatever password (or ask you to unlock it for them) that will give them access to basically any logged in app on the device.

      I don’t know if OP is referring to a U.S. citizen or something else so the specific rules that apply may be different but that’s the general idea.