After the attacks of the September 11, 2001when four terrorist attacks were committed in the United States by the group Al Qaedawhich left more than 25 thousand injured and 2,996 people deceased, the North American nation made the decision to increase security measures in all airports.
These terrorist attacks, in addition to having been the most deadly In the history of the United States, they directly affected the air sector, because the demand for commercial flights was drastically reduced, taking into consideration that the international population was still afraid of these actions at some other time.
As of 2002, security procedures at the entrance points to the US territory began to generate Questions Among most travelers, mainly because a kind of endurance On the part of the public, which refused to undergo these rigorous measures in the country’s airports.
One of the most provisions controversial For the international population, it is related to the inspection of electronic devices, such as Telephones cell phones and computers laptops, since many people refuse to accept that US authorities have the power to review their personal content.
Can the US authorities review the telephones of travelers?
According to the United States Customs and Border Protection Office (CBPfor its acronym in English), officers can carry out reviews random of electronic devices “without a previous suspicion”, so they have the power to inspect any person without the need to consider it suspicious.
Through its official website, CBP establishes that all people who wish to enter or leave the United States, including their luggage and goods“They are subject to inspection at the entrance and exit points of the country”, to the point of power retain Personal electronic devices if the authorities consider it “very necessary.”
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“CBP is responsible for protecting the borders of our nation and enforcing numerous laws in entry ports. The ability to inspect legally electronic devices that cross the border is essential to keep the United States safe in a world more and more digital”, Added the government agency.
According to CBP, these searches have been used to identify and combat terrorist activities, child pornography, drug smuggling, smuggling of people, traffic of large amounts of cash, Trafficking in peopleviolations of property rights and Visas fraud, among other infractions.
Since 2009, the United States Customs and Border Protection Office has established strict guidelinesbeyond the legal requirements in force, in order to ensure that these searches are made “in a way judicious and responsible”, And so that they are also consistent with the trust of the national and international public.
“The number of travelers who cross the border and experience a record of their electronic devices is little. In 2024, a less than 1 % of international travelers their electronic devices were recorded, ”added CBP. Therefore, it is estimated that approximately some were about 48 thousand The reviewed devices.
Outstanding Work, Officers. Thanks for Continuing to Keep Our Communities Safe. https://t.co/GMP1YPVT24
– CBP (@CBP) March 23, 2025