The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge A Wednesday End Bits Special - How to Deal With Border Phone Searches
Jan 7, 2026
Discover how to protect your phone data from customs searches at U.S. borders. Learn about the surprising legality of these searches and the risks posed by advanced forensic techniques. Peter shares essential tips for safeguarding your information, including using burner phones and powering down devices. Delve into the debate over the decline of passport stamps and the curious case of AI mishaps with vending machines. Finally, explore the rising trend of luxury dining that showcases extravagant dishes, shedding light on today's consumption culture.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Minimize Data Exposure Before Border Crossings
- Create a minimal travel device or leave sensitive data at home to avoid invasive searches at U.S. ports of entry.
- Turn devices off, use airplane mode, or carry a burner phone and keep hard-copy boarding passes to reduce risks and hassles.
Host's Personal Border Phone Experience
- Peter Mansbridge recounts crossing into the U.S. once last year and being worried about phone searches.
- He coped by leaving his main phone at home and using a burner phone for the trip.
International Incident Over Phone Search
- The episode cites a New York Times case where U.S. agents turned away a French scientist after searching his phone.
- Officials denied political motives, but the incident raised urgent legal and speech-protection concerns.