Traveling abroad/burner phones?

[Anonymous]

A friend who's traveling abroad said she's getting a burner phone because personal phones are being searched. She's fairly apolitical but posts some articles and stuff. Is this now a thing to be concerned with?

[Anonymous]

If you are going to China, yes.

If you are going to the US, yes.

[Anonymous]

I’ve also heard people doing this because people are saying that border patrol is doing this, especially if you’re someone that has taken a public position in opposition to the administration (eg you’re involved kn one of the pending lawsuits, you’ve been quoted kn press, maybe even working at one of the banned law firms or for a non profit that does disfavored work….)
This sounds so paranoid. But I never thought I’d be in a world where my spouse was banned from entering any government buildings by presidential executive order! It’s hard to know where to draw the line on paranoia currently.

[Anonymous]

It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

You have no idea what you’re talking about. Please think first before posting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

It was always the case that you could get the agent with a loose screw when coming back into the U.S. so you had to be a little careful (I think some types of work attract freaks.) I had some family be extra careful because of their experience in more authoritarian countries, but i didn't really take it that seriously.

But now that at the highest level, this is encouraged and you have no recourse, plus a fine stay at the ICE Hilton, it makes sense to be more paranoid then not. Welcome to the dark side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Stop being so racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Stop being so racist.

Dumb Trumper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Business travel is completely different. Companies need to protect their intellectual property and other proprietary information, so limiting the character of personal electronics which might provide such data is simply good business sense. Nobody needs to post political screeds from their personal devices, though, and simply not doing that eliminates the issue altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Business travel is completely different. Companies need to protect their intellectual property and other proprietary information, so limiting the character of personal electronics which might provide such data is simply good business sense. Nobody needs to post political screeds from their personal devices, though, and simply not doing that eliminates the issue altogether.

Yeah, don't have any opinions about dumb government. /s


It's still "of the people, by the people, for the people."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Business travel is completely different. Companies need to protect their intellectual property and other proprietary information, so limiting the character of personal electronics which might provide such data is simply good business sense. Nobody needs to post political screeds from their personal devices, though, and simply not doing that eliminates the issue altogether.

Yes, which is why each scenario was discussed separately. As a white US citizen.who doesn't travel to China, I think my risk is low. If I was say a Turkish Fulbright scholar in grad school in the Boston area, seems like the concern is valid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Business travel is completely different. Companies need to protect their intellectual property and other proprietary information, so limiting the character of personal electronics which might provide such data is simply good business sense. Nobody needs to post political screeds from their personal devices, though, and simply not doing that eliminates the issue altogether.

Yes, which is why each scenario was discussed separately. As a white US citizen.who doesn't travel to China, I think my risk is low. If I was say a Turkish Fulbright scholar in grad school in the Boston area, seems like the concern is valid.

You sure about that?
Seems like they give you a hotel stay and then figure out if they are right.

I think you will worry more when they come after the supporters of Ukraine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Business travel is completely different. Companies need to protect their intellectual property and other proprietary information, so limiting the character of personal electronics which might provide such data is simply good business sense. Nobody needs to post political screeds from their personal devices, though, and simply not doing that eliminates the issue altogether.

Yeah, don't have any opinions about dumb government. /s


It's still "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Having opinions is one thing, broadcasting them is just asking for trouble, one way or anyother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's more expensive and less convenient than simply exercising some personal restraint. The world isn't waiting for her political posts while she's abroad, or anywhere, really. And, telecommunications are more likely to be intercepted and reviewed by the internal security services within the borders of many other countries, than they are at the borders of the U.S.

It's a silly solution to an entirely avoidable concern.

Friend works for crey large company with business in China. Company policy is burner phones only when going there. The concern is not social media. It's giving an easy path through corporate IT infrastructure.

At the US border, even if you have never posted anything on social media, they can go through your phone or computer legally. Ever sent a text saying you hate Trump, and it's on your phone? Good luck nowadays if you aren't a US citizen or aren't white. Not saying these are likely scenarios , but they are possible (with examples) in a way they weren't 3 months ago.

Business travel is completely different. Companies need to protect their intellectual property and other proprietary information, so limiting the character of personal electronics which might provide such data is simply good business sense. Nobody needs to post political screeds from their personal devices, though, and simply not doing that eliminates the issue altogether.

Yeah, don't have any opinions about dumb government. /s


It's still "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Having opinions is one thing, broadcasting them is just asking for trouble, one way or anyother.

Are you writing from Belarus?