Mozilla is advising travelers to the United States to turn off biometric locks on their phones and other devices. The nonprofit organization issues this advice in response to the search of devices by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
These searches put pressure on people's digital freedoms with little legal protection. "Phone searches give unfettered access to your private messages, photos and sensitive data. Take these steps now before you travel," Mozilla states.
These include turning off biometric locking via fingerprint or facial scan. "Unlike passcodes, biometrics can sometimes be used to unlock your device without your consent," Mozilla said. Mozilla further advises travelers to the U.S. to back up and delete sensitive data:
Also, the organization recommends not using dedicated apps for social media or e-mail. "Approach e-mail or social media through browsers and log out after use. This ensures less persistent data on your device."
Mozilla also cites the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which recently issued a similar opinion.
