Border crossings can be a bit scary with Immigration etc. Another thing that some folks worry about is the data on the phone as in most countries the immigration and border security folks have the authority to check your phone/other devices and see the data you are carrying. If you search online you will find various ‘solutions’ to this problem ranging from carry a burner phone (and download the data once you clear immigration) to having a passcode that deliberately wipes the contents of that device if entered instead of the user’s unlock passcode.
One user decided to implement the Auto-wipe functionality on his phone before entering the US and when Border Patrol asked for the passcode he gave the wipe code instead which wiped his phone. As expected the agents didn’t like this and he is now being prosecuted for giving border officials a code that wiped his phone. While it is technically legal to wipe your phone like this, my personal feeling is that it is better not to be over-smart in such situations. Even though he is technically in the clear he still has to deal with the hassle of arrest/prosecution etc and this will be a black mark in his record the next time he applies for a visa.
When I first went to the US back in 99, my dad told me not to be a smartass with security or immigration personnel. What you say as a joke can be taken in the wrong way by the agent and then you are on a backfoot trying to explain that it was just a joke but by then it is too late. So at the counter I answer as briefly as possible while giving the relevant information they asked for without any jokes or high tech stunts like this one. The immigration agents can ask whatever question they feel is relevant and you can’t tell them that it is none of their business (Someone I know recently told the immigration folks in Malaysia that it was none of their business where she was going in the country… I was surprised they let her into the country after that but I guess she got lucky).
If I ever had to carry data that I didn’t want to show at border security I would just ensure I don’t have it on my phone as there are multiple ways you can download it back after you clear security & immigration. So don’t be oversmart and get into trouble.
– Suramya