I'm not a US citizen, and I used to travel to the US from India occasionally before the pandemic. In reality there is no data that I have with me on my laptop or mobile device, that isn't already accessible to a nation state like the US. There is really no point trying to play games with US customs and immigration. You'll just irritate them and it won't end well.
The best strategy is to simply comply with all relevant US law and orders issued by officials at the border. And one should understand that at the border, a foreigner such as me will have very limited protections. In practice there are really no protections at all. People like me essentially rely on the goodwill of the US officials at the border.
For the most part they are polite and business-like. Its best to keep all interactions with them on a cordial basis and cooperate immediately and completely when ordered.
> The best strategy is to simply comply with all relevant US law and orders issued by officials at the border.
The best strategy is not to travel to the US at all, if you can avoid it.
It's not even about not handing over data that they could have if they really wanted it. It's about sending a message that this behavior isn't OK and that foreigners are human beings too.
The US doesn't care about your privacy, but it does care about its economy and so voting with your wallet is still the most power you have. Continuing to degrade yourself at the border at their whims condones their abuses, however implicitly.
Every border on Earth already reserves the right to search your personal effects as thoroughly as they please, without any concept of probable cause being applicable.
If they don't extend that into data located on devices you're carrying across the border, it isn't because they don't reserve the right, but merely because they lack the means or interest.
> Every border on Earth already reserves the right to search your personal effects as thoroughly as they please
You're correct, however this does not mean they all treat you like you should be the most thankful person of Earth for them letting you in and not harassing you endlessly.
The U.S. even requires you to hand over social media passwords in some cases and a lot of personal information before you even get on the plane.
The outright contempt for foreigners is not as common elsewhere.
P.S. And of course, you have borders like between EU countries where you barely even notice you crossed a country border, (as an EU citizen).
Likewise here from the UK. Be polite and respectful and generally I've never had any issues.
Once I even had the guard - who before me had been dealing with a plane full of Chinese tourists - give me a knowing smile and a "I can tell you know what you're doing" kinda comment as he more or less waived me through. I guess being a white male native-english speaker helps a lot in those scenarios.
P.S. Global entry helps a lot in these scenarios and is (still? was?) available to non-US citizens
This is categorically false and borders on misinformation.
Subpeonas etc. can be challenged by US companies/individuals in the court when they are within the country. Innocent until proven guilty is the way of life within a country. During border crossing, system has been changed to assume guilty until proven innocent (for better or worse).
You are correct that if you are in such a situation (border agent asking for data), it's better to comply amicably. I personally would consider cloud backing data and cleaning up local drive before entering US as my best strategy. Carrying unsurmountable amount of data (10 TB+) is also another strategy.
The best strategy is to simply comply with all relevant US law and orders issued by officials at the border. And one should understand that at the border, a foreigner such as me will have very limited protections. In practice there are really no protections at all. People like me essentially rely on the goodwill of the US officials at the border.
For the most part they are polite and business-like. Its best to keep all interactions with them on a cordial basis and cooperate immediately and completely when ordered.