Passport, tickets, delete social media accounts. Some may be wondering whether to add this step to their holiday prep list this year after a French scientist was reportedly refused entry to the US when customs and immigration officials found WhatApp messages on his phone expressing criticism of the Trump administration. But how concerned do holidaymakers really need to be?
What has happened?
Recent reports that individuals have been refused entry to certain countries and deported or detained have raised concerns about the risks of travelling overseas. However, Christi Jackson, a partner at the immigration law firm Laura Devine, said this is nothing new.
“US customs officials have always been able to check your phone without a warrant,” she said. “They have all sorts of resources, algorithms and technologies to search passenger manifests against social media and other sites, and they have the right to question anyone.”
It is important to point out that the majority of holidaymakers are unlikely to be affected, and that border control officials have always had the power to search individuals’ devices and refuse entry to a country.
What should I do?
The first step is always to check the official advice on the UK Foreign Office website, which will lay out any risks as well as the entry requirements for a country. Be sure to read these carefully and complete any forms and visas in good time prior to travelling.
For example, travellers to the US should apply for an Esta (a visa waiver) to gain entry, although they may not be eligible for this in certain circumstances, such as if they have a criminal record.
The form includes a question about your social media accounts and, while it is not mandatory to answer it on an Esta, Jackson said that not completing it “could be considered a material misrepresentation” and make you inadmissible. If you’re applying for a full US visa, you must provide social media details.
A spokesperson from Abta, the travel trade association, said: “We always advise people to check the UK government’s travel advice for the country they are travelling to, as this includes the latest guidance on entry requirements, safety and security, as well as other information. If you’ve booked with an Abta member travel company, they’ll also be able to offer expert help and advice.”
• Read our full guide to the US
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How else can I prepare?
Cautious travellers could review the privacy settings on their apps, delete certain apps, or move them to a separate folder on their device with extra password protection. Some people may consider not taking their phone on holiday as a precaution. Turning off the device and disabling facial recognition will make it harder for border officials to search if it is seized.
However, if your priority is being admitted to the country and you have nothing to hide, then the best strategy is to comply with any requests, said Jackson.
Travellers can refuse to let officials search their devices, but in that case will almost certainly be refused entry. This usually means being put back on the next available flight home, and being detained either at the airport or off-site until then. However, there have been instances of travellers being detained for longer periods.
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Is the US stricter than other countries?
Surveillance measures seem to have tightened up since the start of the second Trump administration, Jackson said, and the reasons for searching electronic devices appear to have broadened. The Canadian government has since published a revised travel advisory warning its citizens that refusing to comply could result in the denial of entry to the US.
Such searches used to focus on those with undeclared convictions, or where there was evidence that someone was involved in illegal activities such as drug-taking or working in the country without permission. However, pro-Palestinian or anti-Trump messaging is increasingly likely to be a trigger, as it may be regarded as terrorist activity, Jackson warned.
Surveillance could become stricter still if Trump implements a proposed travel ban that would affect more than 40 countries including Syria and Cuba.
What about China and Russia?
China has no official policy of checking social media before entry to the country. However, regulations that were introduced in 2024 grant powers to officials to inspect and search devices such as smartphones and computers, and there have been reports of inspections of electronic devices, including those of international travellers, at border checkpoints.
Social media websites and apps such as Facebook, X, Instagram and Snapchat are blocked in China.
Those entering the country will need to pass through medical screening, which could include temperature scanning, throat or nasal swabs, or medical examinations.
Travellers will need a passport with at least six months remaining and two blank pages in it. They will also need a visa, which will involve providing fingerprints.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia. Those entering the country must have a visa and at least six months on their passport after the expiry date of the visa, and will be required to register biometric details such as fingerprints and photographs.
It warns that there have been intensive security checks at the border, with some British nationals questioned about their political views, asked to provide DNA swabs, asked to provide data from phones and other devices, and in some cases detained for “many hours”. The Foreign Office says that, under Russian law, you do not need to release your device for checks unless presented with a search warrant, but that refusing could lead to delays, questioning and threats of legal action.
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