US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) device searches are rising sharply, with 14,876 basic and 1,297 advanced searches conducted in Q4 2025 — up 29% and 12% from last year. Overall, phone and laptop searches increased 18% year-over-year, even though fewer than 0.01% of travelers are affected.
Experts warn that locking your phone or using biometrics may not fully protect your data at the border. Refusing to share passwords can delay entry or lead to device seizure. The safest option is to wipe sensitive devices before travel and restore data later from secure Android backups. Until policies change, protecting your privacy means planning ahead.
Source: Android Authority
