You make it sound like this is a common thing... At least in Western countries it is NOT.
Frankly I am unaware of any incidents of it happening in the US involving the CBP. Mainly because all secondary basic or advanced inspections are done according to strict protocols one of which is the mandatory presence of at least 1 other officer. All secondary inspections are video recorded from several angles and results logged and held for YEARS.

Stealing cash and valuables from travelers has always been more of an issue centered around the baggage handlers and even then in the US it is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

For some facts:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2018-Jan/CBP-Directive-3340-049A-Border-Search-of-Electronic-Media-Compliant.pdf
Section 5 of the pdf outlines all CBP procedures.

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Some hard stats on US CBP traveler screening from https://www.cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-devices  emphasis is mine:

Quote

Of the 420 million travelers CBP processed at ports of entry in FY 2024, 12,660,784 (3%) travelers were referred for a secondary inspection.

A border search of electronics is not a required action during a secondary inspection. In fact, CBP only conducted border searches of the electronic devices of 47,047 travelers in FY 2024, representing approximately 0.3% of secondary inspections and less than 0.01% of all arriving international travelers encountered at ports of entry.

Of the 47,047 border searches of electronic devices encountered at port of entry, 42,725 (90%) were basic searches in which the devices were not connected to external equipment to review, copy and/or analyze its contents.

Given that - I for one have zero concerns crossing US borders. Of course regarding other countries could well be a different story... It all depends on their own laws.

As a Frequent Traveller with over 8 million air-miles to my record from when I worked as an industrial laser Field Engineer for over 48 years flying all over the US and the world, at least 1/2 of the miles were from international travel. In all those years only 2x did I have to go through any sort of secondary screening in ANY country and none involved searches of my computer or phone. One country was China and the other oddly enough was Canada - both were only interested in the contents of my service tools kit and details of my work VISA.

Mod note: Consecutive posts merged

You make it sound like this is a common thing... At least in Western countries it is NOT.
Frankly I am unaware of any incidents of it happening in the US involving the CBP. Mainly because all secondary basic or advanced inspections are done according to strict protocols one of which is the mandatory presence of at least 1 other officer. All secondary inspections are video recorded from several angles and results logged and held for YEARS.

Stealing cash and valuables from travelers has always been more of an issue centered around the baggage handlers and even then in the US it is an exceedingly rare occurrence.

You make it sound like this is a common thing... At least in Western countries it is NOT. Frankly I am unaware of any incidents of it happening in the US CBP. Mainly because all inspections are done according to strict protocols one of which is the mandatory presence of at least 1 other officer.

Stealing cash and valuables from travelers has always been more of an issue centered around the baggage handlers and even then in the US it is an exceedingly rare occurrence.