By Mykolas Rambus, CEO of Hush

For celebrities, athletes, senior executives, and their families, travel often comes with heightened scrutiny. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has ramped up searches of phones and digital devices at the border—including social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and even private messaging apps. In some cases, this data has been used to deny entry, revoke visas, or trigger investigations.

While U.S. citizens can’t be barred from reentry, they’re not immune to phone searches or reputational risk. For non-citizen family members, the stakes are higher: misinterpreted posts, business affiliations, or political opinions can lead to deportation or blacklisting.

What many travelers don’t realize is how much of this information is already accessible before a single device is unlocked. Government agencies are increasingly using data broker tools like ShadowDragon to map out digital footprints and networks of association—pulling from hundreds of platforms using just a phone number, email, or name. Your online activity, your connections, even your location history can be cross-referenced long before you reach customs.

Should you delete your social media? Not entirely. A sudden lack of online presence can raise red flags. Instead, be proactive. Audit old posts. Limit public visibility. Avoid posts that can be taken out of context—particularly around politics, business dealings, or international travel. Consider traveling with a clean device or using cloud-based accounts with limited access.

For public figures, perception matters as much as privacy. Border agents may not fully understand a joke, sponsorship, or comment. A post meant for fans could be misread in a legal context.

In today’s environment, even seemingly minor details can be repurposed for enforcement. Data once used for marketing or networking is now being scanned for risk signals—without your knowledge or consent. That’s why digital privacy isn’t just a personal concern—it’s a protective measure for you and those connected to you.

Bottom line: You don’t need to vanish online, but you do need to manage your digital footprint with care. Treat your social media like your passport: valuable, personal, and worth protecting.