Travelers to the US Advised to Disable Biometric Locking
By Netvora Tech News
The US Customs and Border Protection's practice of searching electronic devices has raised concerns about digital privacy. In response, Mozilla, the developer of the Firefox browser, is advising travelers to the US to take certain precautions to protect their data.
Disable Biometric Locking
Mozilla is urging people to disable biometric locking features on their devices, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, before traveling to the US. This is because biometric data can be used to unlock devices without the user's consent.
Instead, users should use a alphanumeric passcode of at least six characters to secure their devices.
Additional Precautions
In addition to disabling biometric locking, Mozilla is recommending that travelers:
- Turn off all devices before crossing the border
- Use a browser instead of dedicated apps for social media and email
- Log out of email and social media accounts after use
- Back up and erase sensitive data
According to Mozilla, these precautions are necessary because there is limited legal protection against the search and seizure of electronic devices by US Customs and Border Protection.
"The searching of devices gives unrestricted access to your private messages, photos, and sensitive data," said Mozilla. "Take these steps before you travel."
Mozilla's advice is in line with recommendations from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
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