US US tightens digital screening at airports

29-03-25

The US government has stepped up screening measures at its international airports, now focusing part of its efforts on checking travellers' electronic devices. This new practice, promoted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is part of a more rigorous approach to border security, which has raised concerns among civil rights organisations and international travellers themselves.

According to US media reports and confirmed by CBP spokespersons, border agents are authorised to search the contents of mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic devices without a warrant. These inspections, which can be carried out on both US citizens and foreign visitors, are intended to detect potential threats to national security, digital smuggling and other cross-border crimes, although in practice they open a debate about the boundaries between protecting the country and individual privacy.

One of the practices that has attracted the most attention is the copying of data from devices for further analysis. In some cases, agents extract information such as contacts, messages, emails, browsing history and stored files, using advanced forensic tools. Although CBP claims that these procedures are applied selectively and under internal protocols, there are a growing number of documented cases in which travellers have been forced to hand over their devices unlocked and with no guarantee of confidentiality of the copied data.

US law allows such searches at so-called ‘points of entry’, which include airports, seaports and land border crossings. For legal purposes, these spaces enjoy a special status that allows authorities to conduct inspections without the need for probable cause or a warrant, which would normally be required within the national territory. However, various organisations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have denounced that this type of practice violates fundamental rights and lacks the transparency necessary to prevent abuses.

The measure affects travellers of all nationalities, including citizens of the European Union and Latin American countries, which has led several governments and consulates to issue precautionary recommendations. Among them, it is suggested that passengers limit the sensitive information stored on their devices before travelling, use strong passwords and know their rights in case they are selected for secondary screening.

From a tourism perspective, this policy could have implications for the perception of the US destination as a welcoming place. While most travellers do not experience such checks, the mere knowledge that they may be subjected to a thorough review of their digital lives creates a sense of uncertainty. Some sectors of the tourism industry, especially those linked to the business and high-net-worth traveller, have expressed concern about the potential impact on the visitor experience and the country's international image.

CBP has reiterated that its priority is to ensure national security and that these controls are part of a comprehensive effort to prevent threats. However, it has also indicated that it regularly reviews its protocols to ensure a balance between security and respect for the rights of individuals. Meanwhile, the debate continues to rage in the US about the legality and ethics of these practices, especially in a context where digital privacy has become a core value for many citizens and travellers.

As the world moves towards greater connectivity, the boundary between security and privacy becomes increasingly delicate. In this scenario, US decisions could shape the direction of future migration control policies in other countries, making this a key issue for the present and future of international mobility.

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