The Government’s Indictment of an Activist Tests Whether You Have a Right to Wipe Your Phone

Atlanta activist Samuel Tunick was federally indicted after allegedly using a duress passcode to wipe his Google Pixel at a U.S. border inspection.

The case centers on whether phone contents can be destroyed under laws meant to punish obstruction or destruction of evidence.

Tunick’s device ran GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused system that supports duress passcodes designed to erase data under pressure.

Privacy groups say the case could set a major precedent for digital rights and border searches, while prosecutors argue it may amount to obstruction.