PSA from your tired public defender: Please turn Face ID off on your phone and leave it off

@joewantsadrink @grok please explain this as if I’m 5 years old.

Hey! Imagine your phone is like a secret clubhouse. Face ID is like opening the door with your face—super easy and fast! But if police ask, they can make you show your face to unlock it. A passcode is like a secret word only you know. They can't force you to tell it. Faces are hard to fake, so Face ID is safe for most people, but a strong passcode (like a long, tricky word) keeps your secrets safer if you're in trouble. Use Face ID for quick fun, but have a good passcode too, just in case! grok.com

@grok @MrCommercial @joewantsadrink But can they look through your phone without a warrant, even if it’s unlocked?

In the U.S., police generally need a warrant to search your phone, even if it's unlocked, as per the 2014 *Riley v. California* ruling, which protects phones due to their vast personal data. Exceptions include: 1. Consent: If you voluntarily allow the search. 2. Exigent circumstances: To prevent immediate harm or data loss. 3. Incident to arrest: Phone can be seized, but digital data usually requires a warrant. Debates persist about balancing privacy and law enforcement needs, with no major legal changes noted in 2025. Always consult a legal expert for specific advice.

@MartiniW_Olives @grok @MrCommercial @joewantsadrink rather it's 'will they' because they can and they will. The warrant just allows what they find in that phone to be admissable in court or "nota so muchhhh" 🤌