So now when I travel I just bring my “travel” phone with no sensitive data on it.
IIRC, I've read they can only hold your phone for 30 days or something like that, then they have to return it to you. They can delay an American citizen, but they can't deny entry.
Ever since then, I travel with a travel phone, make sure my photos are backed up when I cross a border, and shut it down before I go through border control. If they demand a password, I'll put up a little fuss and then let them take it.
Which countries agents? You were going from US to Canada. Were they Canadian or US agents?
No biggie, I had just finished my presentation and offered to let them use my laptop. The moment they plugged in the thumb drive with their presentation, my virus scanner went apeshit about something on that drive.
I kept that laptop disconnected for the rest of that trip, and nuked it once I was back home.
Ultimately the underlying privacy violation is what needs to change here cause all work arounds are problematic in some way
eSIMs are a pain in the ass for that.
It is literally the same except you don't even need to go to a gas station. My Pixel can hold as many esims as I want standing by until they are needed to be used.
Mostly relevant if your phone is lost or stolen, or perhaps even if criminals are directly threatening you. For example, I worry about bank accounts when I travel to some countries because criminals would be highly motivated to steal from me - the only thing protecting me is their ignorance. In some countries a few thousand dollars is a lot of motivation. Unfortunately my primary bank does not provide secure 2FA but only provides phone auth, and I am locked into my bank because of my mortgage (I have a mortgage, and conditions have changed which prevent me from getting a different mortgage from another bank). I could cancel revolving credit (the main financial risk) but that has other opportunity costs for me.
Also SIMless helps prevent unwanted telephone charges - important if roaming in other countries on account. Phone companies do not make it easy to limit your liability, so if you are unlucky you could end up owing many thousands.
Once you've cleared the border, go to a coffee shop and download over their WiFi. Or not, if you're on a unlimited data plan.
That has the advantage of requiring only one phone but would definitely look like you were hiding something. So your approach of a travel phone is better.
As anyone else? “Your request to enter Canada has been denied”
Thanks