US accuses American of allegedly wiping his phone using a 'duress' password during border search | TechCrunch

The Justice Department is prosecuting Atlanta resident Samuel Tunick for allegedly giving border agents a phone passcode that triggered a data wipe during a search after he returned to the U.S. Tunick has pleaded not guilty and is seeking to suppress evidence, arguing that Customs and Border Protection unlawfully detained him, denied him access to counsel, and seized his phone without proper justification. The case appears to be the first known U.S. prosecution involving the alleged use of a phone “duress” password and raises questions about digital privacy and constitutional rights at the border.

Summary generated July 31, 2026. AI summaries can make mistakes.