亚特兰大居民Sam Tunick因其GrapheneOS手机在机场搜查过程中被清空数据而遭到联邦起诉[1]。控方指控他违反了禁止销毁财产以防止被扣押的联邦法规[1]。这一起诉发生在2024年1月24日的哈茨菲尔德-杰克逊亚特兰大国际机场[1]。
事件的争议焦点在于对GrapheneOS操作系统功能的解读。GrapheneOS是一款开源操作系统，支持用户通过输入密码来清空谷歌Pixel手机中的数据[1]。检控方主张这一隐私功能被用于销毁证据，但安全专家表示这是首次将相关法律应用于操作系统本身[1]。专家Christophe Boutry和Bill Buddington都表示从未见过类似案件，认为这代表了对该法律的不同寻常的运用[1]。
此外，Tunick在搜查过程中要求律师被拒绝了4次，且未被告知其权利或出示搜查令[1]。案件还涉及对Tunick与反Cop City运动关联的调查，Cop City是一座耗资1.09亿美元的警察培训设施，于去年春季开放[1]。
Sam Tunick, an Atlanta resident, has been federally charged with destroying property to prevent seizure after his GrapheneOS phone was wiped of data during a search at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on January 24, 2024 [1]. Prosecutors argue that the privacy-focused operating system's data-wiping capability was deliberately used to destroy evidence, marking what experts describe as an unprecedented legal application [1]. The case raises significant constitutional questions regarding privacy rights and border search authority.
GrapheneOS is an open-source operating system that allows users to completely erase data on Google Pixel phones through a password entry mechanism [1]. According to the charges, Tunick allegedly triggered this feature to prevent authorities from accessing his device. Tunick sought legal representation four times but was denied, and he was neither informed of his rights nor shown a search warrant [1]. Security researchers Christophe Boutry and Bill Buddington have both indicated they are unaware of any similar legal cases, characterizing this prosecution as an unusual interpretation of federal law [1]. Tunick's case is connected to activism against Cop City, a $109 million police training facility that opened in the region last spring [1].