Police forces around the country have developed the nasty habit of confiscating the phones of citizens who choose to film them, unilaterally deleting images and video of their actions. Whether that’s a Fourth Amendment violation is still being decided by the courts; until that happens, here’s how to protect your phone from the prying eyes of cops.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
It sounds obvious, but the easiest way to protect what’s on your phone is not to get it confiscated in the first place. And that starts by using some common sense. For example, don’t be a nuisance or hinder the police action. Follow the orders the officer issues, including showing ID when asked or moving from you current location. Basically, don’t do anything that will make the situation worse.
That’s not to say you should be a complete pushover. Know that … More