Activist charged with felony after wiping phone data for border agents
Atlanta resident Samuel Tunick faces federal charges for deleting data on his GrapheneOS-powered phone when customs agents demanded access. The incident occurred in early 2025.
Samuel Tunick, an Atlanta resident, has been charged with a federal felony after utilizing a feature on his GrapheneOS-equipped Pixel phone to wipe its contents when confronted by customs agents. The incident took place in early 2025 as Tunick returned to the U.S. from an international trip.
Tunick reportedly invoked a "duress code" function within the alternative Android operating system, which erased all data on the device. The case proceeded to a hearing last week, where government attorneys claimed Tunick was subjected to a standard secondary inspection, with agents seeking prohibited items.
However, Tunick's legal team alleges he was targeted due to his activism. He is associated with Defend the Atlanta Forest, a group opposing the construction of a large law enforcement training facility. Lawyers state Tunick was on a watchlist for his activism.
Court documents suggest prior discussions among Customs and Border Protection officials via email about detaining Tunick upon his arrival for "suspected terrorism activities." The case raises significant questions regarding digital privacy and border search authorities' access to personal devices.