CBP Searched a Record Number of Phones at the US Border Over the Past Year

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been searching an unprecedented number of phones at the border, with a 17% increase in searches over the past fiscal year. The CBP conducted around 55,424 electronic device searches between October 2024 and September 2025, exceeding previous records. Despite the rise in searches, many travelers remain unaware of the possibility of their devices being scrutinized upon entry.

The surge in phone searches can be attributed to an increase over the past six months, with 16,173 phones searched between July and September. This marks a significant jump from the 14,899 devices searched during the previous quarter. Over the past decade, there has been a steady rise in electronic device searches at the border, with yearly figures increasing from around 30,000 to over 55,000 this year.

According to CBP spokesperson Rhonda Lawson, the recent search numbers are consistent with increases since 2021 and represent less than 0.01% of travelers. The agency claims that searches are conducted to detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content, and information relevant to visitor admissibility. However, some critics argue that these policies may be overly broad and intrusive.

The use of advanced forensic tools has become more prevalent in recent years, allowing CBP agents to bypass device locks and retrieve deleted files. These tools are often sourced from private firms, which have been criticized for their potential misuse. The CBP has put out a request for new technology to aid in phone searches, but the effectiveness and necessity of these tools remain unclear.

The increased scrutiny at US borders has sparked controversy among international visitors. Several incidents have highlighted the risks of being denied entry or having one's devices searched without probable cause. While some argue that these measures are necessary for national security, others see them as an infringement on individual rights.

As travelers consider visiting the US, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks and implications of device searches. CBP spokesperson Rhonda Lawson advises travelers to weigh their decisions regarding what devices to bring with them, emphasizing that searches of electronic personal devices are not new and have not increased in likelihood. However, for many, the increasing scrutiny at US borders may make the country an increasingly difficult destination.

I feel like we're living in a world where our personal lives are being scrutinized left and right . I mean, I get it, security is important, but can't they just leave us alone? Like, who hasn't had something incriminating on their phone that they wish they hadn't? It's crazy how advanced those forensic tools are now - like, what even is the point of having a device if you can just bypass its locks and retrieve deleted files?

And don't even get me started on the potential misuse of these tools... it gives me the chills thinking about all the innocent people who could be affected by this. I mean, I've been to some sketchy places in my life, but this feels like something out of a bad movie .

I guess what's wild is that we're just so used to having our lives under surveillance now... it's hard to remember a time when we didn't have smartphones and social media. And now, we have these super-advanced tools that can detect all sorts of "digital contraband" and "terrorism-related content". It's like, what even is that supposed to mean?

This is a no-brainer, right? Increased phone searches at the border just shows how invasive we're becoming as a society. Like, are we really that paranoid about our devices now? I get it, national security and all that jazz, but do we need to be this extreme? It's crazy that some critics are saying these policies are overly broad and intrusive... like, it's not exactly rocket science to figure out what's going on.

And don't even get me started on the private firms getting in on this action . Like, who benefits from this? The CBP's just trying to stay ahead of the game, but at what cost? We need to be questioning why we're doing this and whether it's really necessary. I mean, have you seen those videos of people getting their phones confiscated or deleted files being recovered without consent? It's wild .

We need to start having a more nuanced conversation about security vs individual rights . Like, how do we balance that? Is it just too much for our borders? I think so...

I'm getting a bit worried about this . It's one thing to have some security checks at the border, but 17% increase in phone searches? That's just too much . I mean, what are we going to do with all our personal data? It's like they're saying we can't trust ourselves to make good choices. And those advanced forensic tools? Scary stuff . Private firms getting involved in this? Red flag .

I'm not saying we shouldn't have security measures, but come on, can't we find a better balance between safety and individual rights? It's all about trust and transparency, you know? I just hope people are aware of what's going on and aren't caught off guard like some international visitors.

just had a convo with someone who's been to the States multiple times and they're like "I've never even thought about having my phone searched before" it's wild how many people aren't aware of this risk. I mean, i get it, national security etc... but 17% increase in searches is pretty crazy and those advanced forensic tools are getting more powerful by the day so yeah, being informed about what you're bringing to the border is super important if you want to visit the US without any issues

I'm so over this constant surveillance. It's like we're living in a scene from a spy movie or something. I mean, what's next? Checking our emails and texts before we even enter the country? It's just too much. And don't even get me started on those advanced forensic tools... it's like they're trying to snoop into every single aspect of our lives. I know national security is a big deal, but can't we find ways to balance that with individual rights without invading everyone's personal space? This whole thing just feels so invasive and controlling. Can't we just have some freedom to travel and connect online without being watched all the time? It's like, hello! We're human beings, not suspects in a crime scene!

I'm getting a major vibe that our governments need to get their tech on point before they start snooping around people's personal devices . 55k+ phone searches is just a bit too much for my liking, especially when you consider it's only 0.01% of travelers . What's really needed is some transparency about what we're getting ourselves into when it comes to security measures and how they affect our individual rights . We deserve to know that our devices are being searched, why, and by who .

I think this whole thing is a big warning sign about how easily our personal lives can be invaded just by walking into another country. Think about it, we're already carrying around these super powerful devices that store all sorts of sensitive info... and now the border agents are like, "Hey, wanna check your phone?" It's not about security, it's about control. And let's be real, how many people would even know they can opt out of a device search in the first place? We need to start thinking about what kind of info we're willing to share with anyone, and when it's okay to keep things to ourselves.