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Cops can force suspect to unlock phone with thumbprint, US court rules
(arstechnica.com)
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this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2024
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There was already a case with this same fingerprint outcome a few years ago. Biometrics are not protected from seizure.
However, passcodes still are. Last time I checked you cannot be compelled to surrender your passcode locking your phone.
Which is also why both iPhone and Android have panic/lockdown modes.
For my android, if I rapidly tap the fingerprint reader or the power key five times in a row, it locks down and will only be unlocked with a password. I understand iPhones have this same activation method too. Different Android models might have different activations, so you'd have to check the settings.
You can also just hold the power key and shut the phone down, because it's pretty standard now that upon a reboot you have to put in the pin first before you can use fingerprint.
When you are encountering police that would be seizing your phone in the near future, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AGAINST quickly shoving your hand in your pocket to try to lock your phone.
They may take our lives, but they'll never take our phones!
Whoops. Apparently my android version has 5x power button pressed call 911.
It does require a pass code on hard power cycle though, which is what I use when going through security (when I remember)
Edit - holding power and volume down shuts the phone down
Hah. Did the same thing. Hit cancel right away. I'm sure there's a setting to change that.
Also, you can add a "Lockdown mode" button in the power menu where there are Power off and Restart buttons. No need to power off that way.
Not on Android 14 at least, if not 13. They moved it to your slide-down menu, hold power is the assistant these days.
You might be able to change it in settings, but that's the default.
On OneUi holding the power button still brings me to the restart, power 9ff, emergency, medical info menu.
Edit to add: Android 14, OneUi 6.1
Out-of-the-box it's set to Wake Bixby, but it can be changed to Power off menu. One of the first things I changed when I got my phone.
Just made me almost call 911 trying it, gave me a real spook. At least I know how to quickly call 911 now
Edit: in LineageOS 21, this is configurable under Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS
Same happened here. Didn't even know the emergency SOS mode was a thing.
Well I just found out my phone does this but it's half fucking baked
It's one of those foldable (clamshells) and this works while the phone is open, but even if biometrics is disabled and it asks for a password, biometrics still works to unlock the phone while folded, and then stays unlocked after opening...
So the only safe way is to shut it off completely so the storage isn't decrypted yet
I just tried this on my iPhone and it worked like a charm.
For my iphone at least, to shut off the power you have to tap volume up, volume down & hold the power button to show the poweroff option. I think cause you can map multiple clicks to actions.
Where do you get that? I can't seem to find it.
Mine just starts the camera app 😂
I probably changed the setting and forgot 😅
This is becoming a grey area.
In several states, especially where CBP is involved, there are legitimate challenges to this protetion.
Even so, biometrics SHOULD be protected under 5th amendment. The fact that it isnt seems very anti-freedom.
give us your password
"I cannot recall"
Or are we not rich enough for that line?
Keep giving them possible passwords since you don't remember exactly what you changed it too and don't perform well under pressure.
Since when have the courts ever cared about the constitution? Other than the 2nd amendment
Like, all the time? What are you even talking about? The 5th amendment is an extremely powerful legal protection. It's been violated before, but in the vast, vast majority of cases, it's rock solid.
I'm glad my passcode is 1 2 3 4 5!
They will never get that out of me!
Stay out of my luggage!
And my air shield!
Make your password "I'll never tell" so when they ask for it, you can give it to them without lying but they still won't know it.
You can also make it a statement of intent to commit or confession of an illegal act and the 5th protects you from being forced to say it.
Ijaywalk might do the trick
Biometrics are ids like a username, not secret and something you can't change. Using them for passwords has risks.