tech
Activist charged with felony after giving border agent "duress code" that wiped his phone
The government says destroying his own data during an airport interrogation was illegal.
TL;DR
- Samuel Tunick used a 'duress code' on his GrapheneOS phone to delete all data when questioned by US customs agents.
- He is now facing federal charges under a statute that prohibits destroying property to prevent seizure.
- Tunick's legal team claims he was placed on a watchlist due to his activism against the 'Cop City' training facility.
- The government asserts broad authority to examine electronic devices at the border.
- Tunick's lawyers are seeking to suppress evidence, arguing the interrogation was a pretext to gather information on activists.