I’m traveling to the US mainland for the first time in my life in a few weeks.
I am not overly stressed about privacy, but I have read that US immigration can really overstep their boundaries. Are there any simple specific steps to take on my devices to protect my privace when going through US border control?
Remove my main accounts from my phone/tablet and use dummy accounts? Or just removing my biometrics?
Don’t carry huge amounts of cash. Our police will steal it from you saying they think it was ill-gotten and you have to go to court to get it back. It’s called civil forfeit.
Turn off biometrics. You can be compelled to submit a fingerprint or pose for a camera. You can’t be compelled to reveal something you know (self-incrimination). Though that hasn’t stopped at least one judge from keeping someone indefinitely detained.
For the most part, our country isn’t a nightmare. But it can become one very easily under certain conditions. This is the rare outcome you hope to avoid that realistically won’t occur for most visitors.