US federal judge makes history in holding that border searches of cell phones require a warrant

With United States v. Smith (S.D.N.Y. May 11, 2023), a district court judge in New York made history by being the first court to rule that a warrant is required for a cell phone search at the border, “absent exigent circumstances” (although other district courts have wanted to do so).

EFF is thrilled about this decision, given that we have been advocating for a warrant for border searches of electronic devices in the courts and Congress for nearly a decade. If the case is appealed to the Second Circuit, we urge the appellate court to affirm this landmark decision.

Of course, a decision like this can go through quite a few more courts, but it’s a good precedent.

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  1. 2023-05-30 8:34 pm
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  2. 2023-06-02 4:25 am