Slate News What Next: TBD | Summer Travel Tips To Not Get Detained
Jun 15, 2025
Lily Hay Newman, a senior writer for WIRED specializing in information security, shares essential insights on protecting your digital life while traveling. She discusses the alarming rise of traveler detentions at U.S. borders and the complex dynamics of digital privacy. Listeners gain valuable tips on minimizing their digital footprint and safeguarding personal information. Moreover, Newman highlights the unique powers of Customs and Border Protection, emphasizing the need for awareness and preparedness to navigate privacy challenges in today’s surveillance age.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Stories of Detention at U.S. Borders
- Many travelers, including American citizens and visa holders, have been unexpectedly detained and questioned at U.S. borders and airports recently.
- These incidents include people returning from Canada and tourists flying in for pleasure, raising concerns about increased scrutiny.
CBP's Warrantless Search Powers
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can search your devices without a warrant at borders and airports.
- This power and lack of warrant requirement make border searches fundamentally different from routine U.S. law enforcement searches.
Depth of Border Device Searches
- Border agents may conduct either superficial or deep digital device searches.
- Deep searches include forensic imaging and offloading all data, revealing vast amounts about a traveler's digital life.