Irish people travelling to US told to delete comments criticising Trump to avoid detention

Eva Osborne

Irish people travelling to the US are being warned to delete any social media comments criticising Donald Trump, to avoid detention.

The warning from cybersecurity experts comes after President Trump's executive order to "enhance vetting", which has resulted in more passengers being asked to hand over their devices for inspection at borders.

A Sunday Times piece detailed how American border officials are increasingly scrutinising traveller’s devices, prompting advice to anyone who may have been critical of President Trump online.

Deleting social media apps completely and leaving phones or other devices at home are other tips being recommended.

Chief executive of BH Consulting, Brian Honan, said the law supports border agents to check your phone like they check your bag.

Speaking on NewsTalk, he said: "Border agents in many countries do have the legal authority to search your devices.

"So, if they do find material on it that they find is illegal or offensive, it could mean that you could be either detained or your entry to the country could be refused."

However, queries are being raised about how US customs could patrol this practice on a large scale for every passenger.

Chair of SmartTech247, Ronan Murphy, said the likelihood of everyone's phones being checked at security is low.

"The level of sophistication that would be required for the border control agents to be able to filter out specific individuals, to be able to have the time and the wherewithal to go and take their devices - it just sounds like it's not overly realistic to me," he said.