Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Isn't it possible that searching your phone at the border is security theater? I mean, many people believe that many of the things that the TSA or CBP do are a security theater. > I think it's likely that the US already has permanent, remote access to most phones. There seems to be a large number of cases where law enforcement were denied access to a device and seemingly were stymied by this fact (detaining the own…
>What makes you think that they're doing this just because? I don't think they'd do it "just because". I think the NSA has access to all devices, but they don't necessarily share that access with lower-level agencies. And yet, the NSA wouldn't want people to know that they have such good access, and so it would be necessary to a) not act on everything, and b) maintain the appearance that they don't have that access.…
Yes, that is not positive evidence however.
> it is easy to hide both intentional and unintentional flaws
Easy in what way? I don't think it is easy to plant flaws nor easy to keep them hidden.
> Certainly there is a huge motivation to use modern devices
Doesn't mean it's possible.
> who knows what's possible with the total cooperation of manufacturers?
Why assume "total cooperation"? The manufacturers have their reputation to lose.