Tunick Says 5-Year GrapheneOS Phone-Wipe Case Aims to Intimidate Activists
Updated
Updated · 404 Media · Jul 28
Tunick Says 5-Year GrapheneOS Phone-Wipe Case Aims to Intimidate Activists
3 articles · Updated · 404 Media · Jul 28
Summary
Samuel Tunick said the felony case over his wiped GrapheneOS phone is meant to deter activists from protecting data and to set a precedent against privacy rights.
January 2025 airport officers stopped him after a DHS alert, searched his bags and person despite his objections, then typed in a code on his Pixel that triggered GrapheneOS's duress wipe, his lawyer said.
A year later prosecutors indicted Tunick for destroying the phone's digital contents; defender Matthew Dodge said he found only one similar case under the same law and argued agents avoided seeking a warrant.
CBP said electronic-device searches are rare and based on travel history and law-enforcement alerts, while Tunick tied his prosecution to broader scrutiny of Stop Cop City activists, including dropped RICO counts and other surveillance.