There are at least four
facts that should cause stuff like this to be discontinued immediately:
— It is not only possible to acquire electronic data after crossing a checkpoint but there are many ways of doing so.
— There is no possible way for the contents of a phone to be a threat to TRANSPORTATION security, which is theoretically the only reason someone should care when you’re crossing a border, boarding a plane, etc.
— Even if it were possible for data itself to be a threat (and it’s not), there are many ways to carry data. Someone could hide the data in encrypted form, or even hide it in plain sight by being clever. Also, the information crossing a border doesn’t have to be electronic at all; it could be a page in a book.
— Even if something “suspicious” is found, that is not guilt and no charges can be laid so what is the point!?
It’s long past time to shut down all of these ridiculous things. There should be a very tiny list of things that border security needs to do, and it should all fit on one hand.