This kind of behavior shouldn’t be surprising in places and situations where freedoms and rights either don’t exist or aren’t respected by the authorities.
Just a few months ago, the police in the city of Hyderabad, India (where companies like Google and Microsoft have a large presence) were stopping and searching people’s phones to check for messages related to drugs on WhatsApp. This was their way of addressing drug trades, and even one of the top officials said that it’s not illegal when people cooperate and hand over their phones. [1]
If you’re on the streets and the police stop you in such places, you’d be better off unlocking and handing over your phone. People spoiled by western TV shows may talk about probably cause, privacy, rights etc. (which may exist on paper in these places too), but you’d be in a lot of trouble if you’re not very rich and know powerful people. These checks can also take an ethnic or other angle where only certain people are stopped.
I’m not saying that everybody should turn over their phones and that it’s futile to fight, but there are no instant solutions for such issues for many people.
[1]: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hyderabad-cops-are-ill...
Just a few months ago, the police in the city of Hyderabad, India (where companies like Google and Microsoft have a large presence) were stopping and searching people’s phones to check for messages related to drugs on WhatsApp. This was their way of addressing drug trades, and even one of the top officials said that it’s not illegal when people cooperate and hand over their phones. [1]
If you’re on the streets and the police stop you in such places, you’d be better off unlocking and handing over your phone. People spoiled by western TV shows may talk about probably cause, privacy, rights etc. (which may exist on paper in these places too), but you’d be in a lot of trouble if you’re not very rich and know powerful people. These checks can also take an ethnic or other angle where only certain people are stopped.
I’m not saying that everybody should turn over their phones and that it’s futile to fight, but there are no instant solutions for such issues for many people.
[1]: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hyderabad-cops-are-ill...