> First known US case: American charged for using a “duress” password
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> Samuel Tunick, an Atlanta resident, is being prosecuted for allegedly giving border agents a passcode that wiped his phone.
>
> The feature comes from GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused Android OS. Entering the duress code triggers a full factory reset.
>
> This is believed to be the first time federal prosecutors have brought such charges.
>
> The incident happened in January 2025 at Atlanta airport. Agents demanded access to his phone without a warrant, saying he hadn’t yet officially entered the US. When they entered the code, the phone wiped itself.
>
> Tunick has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers argue the seizure was unlawful and that agents were investigating his activism against “Cop City.”
>
> The case raises big questions about digital rights at the US border.
1 Comment
> First known US case: American charged for using a “duress” password
>
> Samuel Tunick, an Atlanta resident, is being prosecuted for allegedly giving border agents a passcode that wiped his phone.
>
> The feature comes from GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused Android OS. Entering the duress code triggers a full factory reset.
>
> This is believed to be the first time federal prosecutors have brought such charges.
>
> The incident happened in January 2025 at Atlanta airport. Agents demanded access to his phone without a warrant, saying he hadn’t yet officially entered the US. When they entered the code, the phone wiped itself.
>
> Tunick has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers argue the seizure was unlawful and that agents were investigating his activism against “Cop City.”
>
> The case raises big questions about digital rights at the US border.