The recent federal raid on the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson isn’t merely an attack by the Trump administration on the free press. It’s also a warning to anyone with a smartphone.
Included in the search and seizure warrant for the raid on Natanson’s home is a section titled “Biometric Unlock,” which explicitly authorized law enforcement personnel to obtain Natanson’s phone and both hold the device in front of her face and to forcibly use her fingers to unlock it. In other words, a judge gave the FBI permission to attempt to bypass biometrics: the convenient shortcuts that let you unlock your phone by scanning your fingerprint or face.-
It is not clear if Natanson used biometric authentication on her devices, or if the law enforcement personnel attempted to use her face or fingers to unlock her devices. Natanson and the Washington Post did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The FBI declined to comment.
Pressing the power button five times on an iPhone makes it require the PIN to unlock.
Android has an equivalent lockdown mode. Open the power menu by holding Power and Volume Up. Then select lockdown.
Don’t forget to stand on your left leg and twist your right in a circular motion not to exceed 45 rpm.
Otherwise you need to start the panic mode process all over.
Can you rapid fire power button 5 times faster than a nazICE agent can rapid fire a submachine gun at you?
I probably could if I know ICE are in the area, which is the point.
And you can set it so it deletes everything after ten unsuccessful attempts.