US prosecutors charge Atlanta man after GrapheneOS phone wipes itself during airport search

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1289238/us-prosecutors-charge-atlanta-man-after-grapheneos-phone-wipes-itself-during-airport-sea

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/23/cop-city-protester-phone

Tunick asked four times during the interrogation to speak with a lawyer, but was rebuffed each time, according to courtroom testimony. Additionally, the agents produced no warrant and did not read Tunick his rights.

If he’s not even accused of a crime, how is wiping his phone “destroying evidence”? What is the crime being committed here? You are allowed to wipe your own phone, and technically he didn’t even do that.

Furthermore, asking a suspect for their passcode is bargain basement police work. Being surprised when this doesn’t work seems pretty incompetent. I think they’re throwing the book at him because they fucked up.