The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge A Wednesday End Bits Special - How to Deal With Border Phone Searches
Feb 11, 2026
Practical guidance on preparing for U.S. border phone searches and how to reduce the risk of deep forensic exam. Tips on device security like passcodes, backups, and burner phones. A look at why passport stamps are fading and how travel will change by 2026. Short takes on an AI vending machine failure and trends in ultra-luxury dining and political fact patterns.
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Fear At The Border
- Peter Mansbridge describes his fear of US border phone searches and carrying a burner phone on one trip.
- He recounts broader reports of travelers being questioned about protected speech during searches.
Border Searches Are Legal And Rare
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search devices under a Fourth Amendment exception.
- The agency conducted 55,318 electronic searches in fiscal 2025, but that was about 0.01% of travelers.
Practical Steps To Protect Phone Data
- Create strong passcodes, update software, and consider a second device with no sensitive data.
- Power down devices, back up to the cloud, erase before crossing, or simply buy a burner phone.