Border agents can search cellphones without a warrant or reasonable suspicion

A US Second Circuit appeals court ruling allows border agents to search cellphones without a warrant, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion.

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that border agents can search cellphones at the border without a warrant, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion, holding the government was entitled to such searches. The decision applies the border search exception to digital devices, removing suspicion requirements for device inspections at US entry points.

• Second Circuit permits warrantless, suspicionless cellphone searches at the US border.
• Ruling removes prior legal thresholds for digital device inspections at entry points.