GrapheneOS Duress PIN Faces US Legal Test After Phone Wipe

MW Contributor · 2026-07-25T19:11:01+08:00

A US prosecution is examining whether using the GrapheneOS duress PIN to wipe a phone can be treated as destroying property to prevent government seizure. The case involves Atlanta resident Samuel Tunick, who allegedly entered a GrapheneOS duress PIN while border agents were trying to search his Google Pixel phone at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in January 2025. GrapheneOS allows users to create a duress PIN or password that appears normal but permanently wipes the device when entered. The feature is intended for situations where someone is forced to unlock a phone. US prosecutors allege that Tunick knowingly deleted the phone’s contents to prevent government access. His lawyers are seeking to exclude the evidence, arguing that the questioning and phone search were unlawful. A judge is not expected to rule on the legal motion until at least the end of October. The case could clarify how US law applies to phone security features that erase data during forced access attempts.

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July 25, 2026 at 7:11 pm
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A US prosecution is examining whether using the GrapheneOS duress PIN to wipe a phone can be treated as destroying property to prevent government seizure.
The case involves Atlanta resident Samuel Tunick, who allegedly entered a GrapheneOS duress PIN while border agents were trying to search his Google Pixel phone at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in January 2025.
GrapheneOS allows users to create a duress PIN or password that appears normal but permanently wipes the device when entered. The feature is intended for situations where someone is forced to unlock a phone.
US prosecutors allege that Tunick knowingly deleted the phone’s contents to prevent government access. His lawyers are seeking to exclude the evidence, arguing that the questioning and phone search were unlawful.
A judge is not expected to rule on the legal motion until at least the end of October. The case could clarify how US law applies to phone security features that erase data during forced access attempts.
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