In early 2025, Samuel Tunick, an Atlanta resident and activist, found himself at the center of a legal dispute when he used his Google Pixel phone’s privacy-boosting features to wipe data from it during a customs search.

The incident began as Tunick returned from abroad. Customs agents demanded access to his Pixel phone, running GrapheneOS, an alternative version of Android designed for enhanced privacy. Rather than comply, Tunick utilized the device's duress code feature, deleting all data on the spot. Now, he faces federal charges.

Government attorneys claim that after a standard secondary interrogation at the airport, agents were seeking prohibited items. However, Tunick’s legal team argues that he was specifically targeted due to his activism with Defend the Atlanta Forest, which opposes an enormous law enforcement training facility often known as Cop City. His lawyers contend that CBP had been discussing plans to detain him for 'suspected terrorism activities' on email.

During the encounter, Tunick says agents threatened to confiscate his phone if he didn’t unlock it and claimed to be searching for evidence of child sexual abuse. He was never read his rights and repeatedly requested legal counsel, which was denied. While most such incidents typically result in the government taking the device later for inspection, Tunick’s Pixel 6, running GrapheneOS, presented a unique challenge due to its robust privacy features.

This case raises questions about the balance between national security concerns and individual privacy rights in an era of advanced technology. As governments increasingly scrutinize citizens at borders, activists like Tunick are finding innovative ways to protect their data.