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Atlanta Prosecutors Charge Activist Over Border Phone Erase

7/29/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Atlanta prosecutors charged activist Samuel Tunick with a felony obstruction count for using a duress password that erased his phone.
Tunick was detained at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport on Jan. 24 2025 during a customs interview about alleged child sexual abuse material.
Tunick’s lawyers say the search targeted his Cop City activism.
The charge is among the first prosecutions for using smartphone security software at a U.S. border.

History

Historical Context

After the December 2015 San Bernardino shooting, the FBI asked Apple to bypass an iPhone 5C, leading to a court order under the All Writs Act of 1789 and a debate Apple framed as protected code speech. The 1990s crypto-war precedent, including Bernstein v. United States, underlies the January 2025 Atlanta prosecution of activist Samuel Tunick for using a duress password that erased his device at customs.

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Story summary

Atlanta prosecutors charged activist Samuel Tunick with a felony obstruction count for using a duress password that erased his phone.
Tunick was detained at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport on Jan. 24 2025 during a customs interview about alleged child sexual abuse material.
Tunick’s lawyers say the search targeted his Cop City activism.
The charge is among the first prosecutions for using smartphone security software at a U.S. border.

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