Frederic Jacobs
So much freedom of speech that they refused entry to a French CNRS aerospace researcher after scanning his phone and laptop and finding in private conversations opinions critical of Trump’s policies.
https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2025/03/19/etats-unis-un-chercheur-francais-refoule-pour-avoir-exprime-une-opinion-personnelle-sur-la-politique-menee-par-l-administration-trump_6583618_3210.html
Etats-Unis : un chercheur français refoulé pour avoir exprimé « une opinion personnelle sur la politique menée par l’administration Trump »

Le ministre de la recherche français a dit sa « préoccupation », mercredi, après cette décision des autorités américaines. Le chercheur du CNRS aurait subi un contrôle aléatoire à son arrivée, avant que son ordinateur et son téléphone ne soient fouillés.

Le Monde
Mar 19 at 7:06pmIvory for iOS
Show threadFrederic JacobsMar 21

Given the increase in cases of people being detained in inhumane conditions by US customs and border protection, the advice of passing the US border, if you really **have to**, at a preclearance site sounds like a good idea.

At least at that point you’re in Ireland or Canada and not sent to an ICE facility for being held in chains or forced to take cold shower like recent reports have described.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/preclearance

Show threadfuomag9Mar 21
@fj huh, I wasn't aware of this existing! This is probably a great idea to do at this point.
Show threadDr. Seltsam 🌎🎶🌳Mar 25
@fj US for me again a travel tabu for the next four years.
Show thread9x0rgMar 19

@fj

Meanwhile the French CyberSecurity agency (#ANSSI) publishes a very handy guide[1] regarding the safeguarding of electronic devices and correspondence while traveling (with inputs of the Ministry of Education and others).

[1]: https://cyber.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/IMG/pdf/passeport_voyageurs_anssi.pdf

I guess the dude didn't read it though.

Show threadmaxvoltarMar 19
@fj this is why I chose to not voice any of my (very very strong) opinions online.
Show threadFrederic JacobsMar 19

@maxvoltar They scanned his private messages. This isn’t even based on public activity.

“au cours duquel son ordinateur professionnel et son téléphone personnel auraient été fouillés. De même source, des messages évoquant le traitement des scientifiques par l’administration Trump auraient été trouvés”

Show threadmaxvoltarMar 19
@fj I count that as “online” 😉
Show threadDanieleMar 20

@maxvoltar
Meaning censorship is so effective that you accept to be the first link in that chain.

By the way, thanks @fj for your work with Signal to help build tools to ensure privacy

Show threadBbaraktiMar 25
@maxvoltar @fj I'm envious of your self control.
Show threadMorten LarsenMar 19
@fj We really should do our best to ensure that conferences are organised outside of the US. Last week (a long time ago, admittedly) I would have said that such a position was hyperbole, but now I don't think it is exaggerated to advise against travelling to the US. If you really have to meet with Americans, have them come to you or meet across the border in Canada.
Show threadYvan ー イボん 🗺️  Mar 21

@fj Freedom for me not for thee

I would discourage anyway that I know to go there until there is a massive political change, that country is a no-go.