Post #4152963

@hans Not because there's anything illegal or incriminating on it, it's the principle: this is private, this is mine, and I'll do with it what I please. Not a lawyer. Wiping your phone in order to prevent law enforcement from searching it would probably be illegal, regardless of if there is evidence on the phone itself. In Federal law, this falls under 18 U.S. Code § 2232. Different states have their own statutes for destruction of evidence, e.g. Ohio. I don't think this is a US-specific thing either; I would imagine most countries would consider this illegal, though I have not researched it. I would talk to a lawyer with subject matter expertise about this if it's something you are seriously considering. Don't assume something is legal based on your lay interpretation of the law, especially in regard to interactions with border security.