Who came for you? You want to go to the US (or any other country) and therefore you align with their rules.

Nobody forces you to go there, and especially play secret agent. If you go, you know that what you have can be searched so have nothing, or have something that is not controversial.

The same applies to all the countries in the world.

US has been "coming for us" for decades. What the US does does not fit neatly into its own borders.

Extraordinary rendition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_rendition

Coups https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_involvement_in_r...

Wars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_Uni...

What does this has to do with the topic of trying to be clever with the border police with some tricks to conceal information? (as opposed to not having it in the first place)

Otherwise yes, you are right - they are bullies.

It has to do with your argument of "if you don't like it, don't go there". Also, you specifically asked "who came for you" so it's direct answer to your question.

Well yes, just don't go there with incriminating devices.

They will try to bully us in many other ways but this has nothing to do with the devices and how to hide stuff.

Well, considering that the US considers some political beliefs and journalism crimes, "don't go there with incriminating devices" implies restrictions on free speech and journalistic freedom. Also, privacy is not only for hiding crimes. Equating privacy with criminality is a great way to get undermine people's rights further. It's perfectly ok to think that some random TSA agent shouldn't be seeing my family photos etc. when I have done nothing wrong.

If you believe these rights are not important, that's your own opinion. But I think it's perfectly valid to criticize attacks on human rights.

They are very important to me. They are apparently not important to "US". So when I go to the US I can expect they will not take them seriously.

So either I go or I don't go. If I go and comply I am fine. If I go and do not comply I am in trouble. If I go and try to sneak stuff I am in trouble.

I am not sure where this is complicated. We are not talking about ethics, but about some crazy ideas to hide stuff. This is irresponsible and dumb.

Exactly. If I plan to visit a country where green shirts are illegal, I'm not going to pack my green shirts into a secret hidden luggage compartment, smug in the knowledge that I'm so clever. I'm going to either not visit or not bring my green shirts.

Same for this. Whether we like it or not, some stuff on your phone are now considered contraband at the US border. Either don't bring them or don't visit.

Personally I would not go with any device at all I cannot afford to throw in a trashcan. You can buy a cheap one in the US anyway... For now.

Bluntly: fuck that. I'm many generations deep in this country, and when I travel to visit other places, I have the right to return here to the home where I was born. No part of our Constitution says I have to kiss law enforcement's butt to be permitted to come back to my house. I understand that they're trying to do their job, but the government also needs to understand that I'm not interested in participating in dragnet searches.

I feel no moral or legal obligation to let them search through all my stuff just because of their policies, which don't seem at all compliant with our highest laws and ideals.

This a quote GP posted from a novel or opinion piece: I don't know off the top of my head, but it should be simple to look it up :)

Yes I know - but this has nothing to do with the topic at hand (about playing clever trying to hide/smuggle stuff through the border)

The source is here: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-nie...