Urgent tourist warning for popular location as phones 'checked in major airport' (2025)

An urgent warning has been issued to people looking to travel to the US after the Trump administration confirmed the implementation of a new policy to review social media accounts

Holidaymakers heading to the US are being cautioned that their mobile phones may be subject to inspection at airports. This comes following reports of phones being checked in Ireland's Dublin Airport.

The warning follows US President Donald Trump's recent executive order to "enhance vetting", which has reportedly resulted in an increased number of passengers being asked to surrender their devices at US borders. As of April 2025, US immigration authorities have confirmed the roll-out of a new policy to scrutinise social media accounts and reject visa or residency applications from individuals who post content deemed antisemitic by the Trump administration.

This encompasses expressions of support for groups labelled as terrorist organisations by the US such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Yemen's Houthi movement (Ansar Allah). In light of this, advice circulating on social media platforms now suggests completely deleting apps or, in some instances, travelling without devices, reports RSVP Live.

Brian Honan, CEO of BH Consulting, clarified on Newstalk that border agents are legally authorised to examine your phone in the same manner they can search your luggage. "Border agents in many countries do have the legal authority to search your devices," he stated. "So, if they do find material that is illegal or offensive, it could mean you are either detained or refused entry."

While such inspections are legally permissible, they are not standard procedure. Moreover, Ronan Murphy, chair of cybersecurity firm SmartTech247, informed Breaking News that it's improbable phones are being inspected indiscriminately.

"The level of sophistication required to filter out specific individuals, and the time and capacity needed to search every device, makes it seem not overly realistic to me," he commented.

Patti Shields, chair of Democrats Abroad, noted instances of travellers being "aggressively questioned" at Dublin Airport in recent weeks. "I know two very frequent travellers who received a kind of aggressive scolding and questioning from US officials in Dublin over the past couple of weeks," she disclosed to Extra.ie.

However, the US Department of Homeland Security refuted claims that immigration officials are politically targeting phones. "These reports are categorically false," the department stated to the publication.

"Any traveller entering the US is subject to customs. Customs and Border Protection adheres to strict policies and directives when it comes to searching electronic media.

"These searches are rare, highly regulated, and used in identifying and combating serious crimes, including terrorism, smuggling, human trafficking, and visa fraud. Any claims of politically motivated searches are completely unfounded."

This comes after the Mirror warned airline loyalty points can actually expire after a certain amount of time, depending on which airline you have used, meaning frequent flyers might lose their points without even realising if they don't manage to make time for a holiday.

We asked a number of airlines about their loyalty points schemes - and specifically about whether or how customers can lose their points without realising.

Several airlines including British Airways use the Avios reward scheme. The Avios site describes it as "a global reward currency you can spend on flights, hotels, car hire and more".

BA explains its customers' Avios points won't expire as long as they "collect, spend, buy or share at least one Avios every 36 months". The Airlines adds: "If you don't collect or use your Avios at all for three years, your Avios will expire and be removed, so remember to take action before that time's up."

Aer Lingus also uses Avios through its AerClub scheme, and explained how points can expire in the same fashion as with BA. A spokesperson said: "Avios never expire as long as your AerClub account remains active.

"They will only expire after 36 months of inactivity (if no Avios are collected or spent during that time). Currently, AerClub has over 3 million members globally, and many are using their Avios to save on flights and enhance their travel experiences."