Bitcoin users beware: U.S. customs agents step up searches of travelers' cell phones

As President Trump has tightened U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) policy of searching travelers’ phones at border checkpoints, bitcoin enthusiasts have another topic to discuss.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents force travelers to hand over their cell phone passwords

There has been a lot of coverage in the media about the impact of the Trump administration on Bitcoin. For example, several Bitcoin supporters have been appointed to the Trump administration, and there have been some financial regulations put in place. However, Bitcoin supporters may have something to worry about if they are crossing the US border. According to various reports, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are stepping up searches of travelers’ phones and electronic devices. Just recently, a US-born scientist was forced to hand over his NASA phone password when he crossed a border checkpoint.

Sidd Bikkannavar gave up his password after being harassed for nearly 30 minutes by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who ran an algorithm test to look for possible security threats but found none, according to CBP.

“This is a very serious violation of my work policy. It is a matter of great concern,” Bikkannavar explained.

More Password Search Examples

The privacy violation could have serious implications for Bitcoin users, especially those who store their Bitcoin wealth on their mobile devices. In addition, in the past few months, there have been several documented instances of U.S. border agents searching for the passwords to tourists' electronic devices. Just last month, The New York Times reported a news story about a man named Haisam Elsharkawi who was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for three hours after taking a flight. According to Elsharkawi, CBP authorities pestered him for his phone password and asked to see his contact history, social media apps, and photos.

"In all my previous travels, I have never been asked to unlock my phone," Mr Elsharkawi told reporters. "It has my personal photos in it, which I think is very normal. It is my right, it is my phone."

According to CBP, agents will confiscate your mobile device and may also copy the data from your device. Tourists who have experienced this have told reporters that agents will detain your phone for several weeks. CBP authorities said, "After the inspection, we will return your property at an appropriate time."

In March 2014, a Bitcoin user made headlines when he was searched while passing through customs. At the time, Davi Barker, the founder of Bitcoin Not Bombs, was searched by a team of plainclothes TSA agents. The TSA agent said, "We found Bitcoin in your bag and need to check it." According to the authorities, the security team will be on the lookout for international travelers carrying more than $10,000 in digital currencies.

Customs agents can easily access tourists’ Bitcoin wallets and private keys

In fact, many Bitcoin users like to store their Bitcoin funds on their mobile devices. The problem with mobile phones is that the government can confiscate your device and copy all the data at their discretion. In addition, CBP may also share these seized devices with other investigative agencies for technical assistance and decryption.

"The information may be provided to other investigative agencies for translation, decryption or other technical assistance," the CBP agent explained.

Of course, customs agents may need a password to access the information in the device, but it seems very easy to force people to hand over the password today. The impact of these actions of US Customs may be terrible for those who regard privacy as a fundamental sovereign right. Suddenly, some of the rules in Trump's new guidelines may not be pleasant for Bitcoin enthusiasts.