this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025

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Privacy

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345

Yes, border control can go through your phone. Here's what travelers should know. (eu.usatoday.com)

submitted 1 week ago by Blaze@lemmy.zip to c/privacy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (4 children)

I have found that guys can use their penis as a fingerprint. Reliability may vary given whatever state of arousal you're at, but good luck trying to get me to whip it out to unlock my phone.

Ladies, I'm not sure how practical this idea may be for you, but the same concept just might work for nipples as well.

Your device should be private to you, so if it takes locking it using your physical privates, well do whatever you gotta do.

Disclaimer: I've only done very limited testing on this, but it actually did work for me.

[–] drzoidberg@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

It actually does work. I still have mine set up from when I tested it. You can also use the fatty bulge on your pinky when you curl your finger.

I do need to be hard though. It would probably work had I set it up with a softy though.

[–] Bonesince1997@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Wtf is this conversation 🤣 Have at it though if it works.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 week ago

Username doesn't check out.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Interesting, glad I'm not the only oddball to test such things.

Extrapolating on the results here, one could most likely use any area of their skin as if it were a fingerprint, even perhaps the tip of your nose or your earlobes or something.

Hey, what they don't know, they don't need to know. Your device and privacy should be yours and yours alone. Fuck'em

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[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Somehow I think whipping my cock out to unlock my phone will be frowned upon in most situations...

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Quite true, but of course I wouldn't expect anyone to do that in public.

That's like the entire idea, I'm pretty sure they can't legally force you to undress to unlock and inspect your phone.

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

My point is; the purpose of biometric unlock is convenience, especially since it doesn't disable pin/pass. If you can't use it in most situations, you may as well just use a pin/password. You gain absolutely nothing by setting up your penis to unlock your device...

With relation to border inspections: you get ordered to unlock devices for border security to inspect. If you refuse, you'll either be refused entry and turned away or you'll be detained until access is gained (willfully or through cracking tools). The US has demonstrated much more willingness to detain people at the border and hold them for months without charge, so I wouldn't push it. To be clear; your 'rights' against unlawful search and seizure do not apply at the border, even for US citizens.

Don't store anything you don't want border security to see on a device you're bringing through a border checkpoint. Store it on a remote server and retrieve it as necessary.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I hear you loud and clear, the right to privacy has gone to shit.

Meanwhile, you know how small MicroSD cards are right? You could store one of those in a hollowed out coin (which would dual function as something of a Faraday Cage) to carry your data, without carrying any active device.

[–] notfromhere@lemmy.one 4 points 1 week ago (3 children)

I’m pretty sure an xray will go through a hollowed out coin showing the sd card and then you’re fucked.

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[–] ech@lemm.ee 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

They can force you to undress for a cavity search. What makes unlocking your phone such a special case that they'd think that was "too much"?

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (5 children)

Simple, you just don't tell them.

They can try all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, but if they don't know what piece of skin unlocks the phone, what the hell are they gonna do?

[–] Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago

Seize the device and crack it with tools like Cellebrite. Possibly with you in custody in the meantime.

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[–] The_Caretaker@lemm.ee 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Have you tried using someone else's penis to make sure? What if it can be opened by any penis? You should try at least 100 to make sure.

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[–] CrazyLikeGollum@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

For an additional gender neutral option, your butthole is almost as unique as your fingerprints, to the point that unless you have an identical twin it's reasonable to assume that no one else shares your specific butthole print.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Sorry, my butthole doesn't poke out far enough.

Could I use it for facial recognition though? 🤔

[–] sloppychops@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Would it help to have electronics, phone included, in your checked baggage?

If not, then people might have to consider smuggling their phone through in a brick of coke. Or put it in a condom and swallow it.

[–] obviouspornalt@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

When you enter the US, you have to claim your checked baggage as part of the process of going through customs, then re-check your bags if you're continuing on a domestic flight.

If you have a device in your checked bag:

you're violating the safety rule about not having lithium batteries in checked luggage.
if you're asked if you are travelling with a phone and you lie and say you don't have one, then if they search your bags and find it, then they'll have strong evidence that you lied to a federal officer, which is a crime.

[–] caffinatedone@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You’re allowed to have devices with lithium batteries in checked bags.

When portable electronic devices powered by lithium batteries are in checked baggage, they must be completely powered off and protected to prevent unintentional activation or damage. Electronic devices capable of generating extreme heat, heating elements must be isolated which could cause a fire if activated, by removal of the heating element, battery or other components.

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/printable-chart

[–] obviouspornalt@lemmynsfw.com 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

American Airlines will ask you to remove devices from your checked bags is you tell them that you have batteries in your checked bags. Airlines are allowed to have more strict rules than what the FAA allows.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/restricted-items.jsp

Please remove batteries from devices in your checked bags and put them in your carry-on in separate plastic bags.

[–] caffinatedone@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Sure, airlines can have whatever policies, but while not adhering to them might get you into trouble with the airline, it's not a legal issue. The TSA doesn't get powers from that to do anything that they weren't allowed to do otherwise.

Now, they might lie to you to get you to give them more than they're entitled to, but that's a different issue.

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