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A comment on Questions for TSA after reports of laptop and phone searches on domestic flights. Parent comment

Re:Questions for TSA after reports of laptop and phone searc... by saagarjha on Monday March 12, 2018 @06:14PM (#16572176)
> I recall reading that in the USA it's a lawful order to have you unlock your phone with a thumbprint, but not to unlock with a PIN code. God knows why.

I believe the rationale was that they can't ask you to incriminate yourself (give up your passcode), but you don't have to say anything for them to force you to give your fingerprint.

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Re:Questions for TSA after reports of laptop and phone searc... by skrowl on Tuesday March 13, 2018 @08:40AM (#16575621)
My understanding is that it stemmed from them being able to compel you to take your fingerprints. In the old days you'd put your fingers in ink then put them on paper so they could record your fingerprint. I guess a judge ruled that putting your thumb on your phone isn't substantially different than that.

That said, you shouldn't ever rely solely on biometrics. In addition to the legal reason, an adversary could also unlock your phone if you were unconscious / etc using your thumb.

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