ACTIVIST CHARGED WITH FELONY FOR WIPING PHONE DURING CBP SEARCH

Tunick was told CBP needed to search his device for child sexual abuse material during a border encounter. His attorneys argue the search itself was questionable, according to court filings. The case highlights a contentious practice: CBP's authority to search phones at airports and borders with minimal oversight. While the agency doesn't need a warrant for such searches, legal experts debate whether the authority is sufficiently constrained by privacy protections. Tunick is not alone—other activists have reported having devices seized without explanation. However, his situation differs as he was explicitly told the reason for the search. The charges against Tunick could set precedent for how courts treat device wiping during border searches. His defense appears centered on challenging the legality of the initial search rather than the act of wiping itself. The case underscores ongoing tension between government security interests and digital privacy rights at U.S. borders.