Home / Crime and Justice / Privacy Warrior's Phone Wipe Sparks Legal Battle
Privacy Warrior's Phone Wipe Sparks Legal Battle
27 Jul
Summary
- Activist Samuel Tunick faces federal charges for deleting phone data.
- Tunick used GrapheneOS duress code to erase data from his Pixel phone.
- The government claims destroying data before seizure is illegal.
In early 2025, Samuel Tunick, an Atlanta resident, was detained by customs agents upon returning to the US. Agents demanded access to his Pixel phone, which ran the privacy-focused GrapheneOS. Tunick employed the operating system's duress code, a feature designed to irreversibly delete all data and eSIMs. This action led to the confiscation of his device and, later, federal charges.
The government is citing a rarely used statute making it illegal to destroy property to prevent seizure. Tunick's legal team argues he was placed on a watch list for his activism against the 'Cop City' law enforcement training facility. They allege CBP discussed detaining him for suspected terrorism activities.
During the encounter, agents claimed they were searching for child sexual abuse material and threatened to confiscate the phone if Tunick refused to unlock it. Tunick asserts his requests for legal counsel were repeatedly denied. This case represents a new legal tactic by the DOJ, with experts noting they have never seen this law applied this way before. If convicted, Tunick could face up to five years in prison.
