What could happen if you refuse to unlock your phone at the US border? [telecom]

open original image

By Cyrus Farivar

In recent days, there have been numerous media reports of a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee and American citizen who was forced to unlock his phone while returning to the United States at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

In that case, Sidd Bikkannavar wasn't sure what his rights were - he seemingly was unaware that there is a very broad exception to the Fourth Amendment at the border that allows officials to conduct warrantless searches.