Though the iPhone X series uses a special chip to store the face I never read it doesn't site the face of others. None of this really matters though as any "authority" looking at your phone has the power to force you to unlock it against your will.
New Zealand, for example, recently instituted a $5000 maximum fine for individuals at airports who are unwilling to unlock their phones even asked by "officials".
Both the US and NZ, along with several other countries, are part of the same surveilance ring. So if you think not looking at your phone matters in the slightest it doesn't. Not at all.
Seems like it would be best to totally wipe all of your devices before crossing a boarder and restore from backup over the internet when you are over it.
What are they going to do, demand a replacement with real data?
It is the phone you're traveling with. The point is supposed to be about bringing illegal stuff into the country. A blank phone contains none. If they want to explain that they need fed juicy private stuff for admission, well, I'd love to hear all the details about that.
I imagine they're going to view you with suspicion and so detain you for [further] interview; probably add you to a watch list?
A completely blank phone suggests you're naively hiding something: like carrying an empty box with an obvious fake bottom. Enticing stuff for a TLA agent I imagine.
> A completely blank phone suggests you're naively hiding something
I'd see that more as "proudly refusing to play along", but interpretations of course will differ. I'm willing to add little fuck-yous in the notes and pics, if that helps interpretation.
Push back, people. Meekly bending over because you don't want to be inconvenienced is quite literally asking for more.
If it comes to the point where they're wanting to look at your devices, their response to stock devices with no data will be to confiscate your device, detain you, and/or turn you away from crossing the border.
I personally have a “burner” phone I take when traveling internationally (usually an unlocked older iPhone). If it’s stolen / seized I don’t really care.
New Zealand, for example, recently instituted a $5000 maximum fine for individuals at airports who are unwilling to unlock their phones even asked by "officials".
Both the US and NZ, along with several other countries, are part of the same surveilance ring. So if you think not looking at your phone matters in the slightest it doesn't. Not at all.