Do travelers need to delete 5 apps when flying during the holidays? Here’s what you need to know

A viral claim has left travelers anxious about what’s on their phones before heading to the airport. Social media posts suggested TSA agents were ordering passengers to delete certain apps before security screening. A closer look, however, shows the reality is very different from the online rumor.

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Where did the app deletion claim come from?

The claim began with a viral YouTube video posted on “Sophia the Flight Attendant’s Official Channel.” In the video, the speaker warned that travelers were being subjected to what she called “electronic device examinations” during airport screenings. The video title stated, “TSA is checking seniors’ phones for these 5 apps (delete before flying)."

“I have seen a massive uptick in what we call electronic device examinations, particularly at international border crossings, CBP, and during secondary screenings by airport security,” she said. “They are looking for digital red flags and there are five specific types of apps."

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The speaker claimed these checks were part of a secondary screening process and suggested certain apps could raise suspicion.

Which apps were allegedly being targeted?

According to the video, the apps travelers were supposedly being told to delete included delivery or locator apps for cannabis and CBD products, vault or hidden photo apps, free ad-supported VPNs or the Tor browser, remote desktop or screen-sharing apps (such as Anydesk, Team Viewer, Quick Support), and outdated or third-party airline booking apps.

The list was widely shared across social media, prompting concern among travelers about phone privacy and airport security procedures, as per a report by The Sun.

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What does TSA actually say about phone checks?

A closer review of official guidance makes clear that the claim does not reflect TSA policy. TSA agents do not have the authority to go through passengers’ phones.

“TSA does not request access to passengers’ electronic devices,” an administration spokesperson told Afar.

The TSA website explains that officers may ask travelers to power on electronic devices. “Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. TSA does not read or copy information from your device.”

In other words, while TSA may confirm that a device works, it does not examine apps, messages, or stored data, as per a report by The Sun.

When can phones actually be searched?

Phone searches can occur in rare circumstances, but only under U.S. Customs and Border Protection authority when travelers are entering the United States.

“All travelers crossing the United States border are subject to CBP inspection,” the agency states.
“On rare occasions, CBP officers may search a traveler’s mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process."

CBP explains that these searches are used to address serious concerns including terrorist activity, child pornography, drug smuggling, human trafficking, export control violations, intellectual property rights violations, and visa fraud, as per a report by The Sun.

“Furthermore, border searches of electronic devices are often integral to determining an individual’s intentions upon entry to the United States and thus provide additional information relevant to admissibility of foreign nationals under U.S. immigration laws,” the agency adds.

CBP also notes that strict guidelines govern these inspections and that less than 0.1% of travelers have their phones checked.

“CBP has established strict guidelines, above and beyond prevailing legal requirements, to ensure that these searches are exercised judiciously and responsibly and are consistent with the public trust.”

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Were seniors being targeted, as claimed?

The viral video specifically suggested senior citizens were being singled out. That claim has been directly denied.

CBP spokesperson Jessica Turner clarified to Afar that senior citizens are not being targeted by border agents, contradicting the assertions made in the video, as per a report by The Sun.

Who was really behind the viral video?

Further scrutiny raised questions about the credibility of the video itself. A footnote attached to the YouTube upload revealed that the supposed flight attendant with “15 years experience” was not a real person.

The video disclosed it was made with “altered or synthetic content,” meaning most or all of it was AI-generated. Viewers also noted, “Sophia is an AI avatar, not a person. The same avatar is used with different names on many different YouTube interest spaces," as per a report by The Sun.

Is this linked to new U.S. travel rules?

The app deletion rumor is unrelated to the administration’s recently announced plan to collect social media information from certain foreign travelers entering the U.S. under the visa waiver program. Under that plan, travelers will be required to submit social media handles and data from the past five years, but it does not involve deleting apps or TSA phone searches.

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FAQs

Does TSA search passengers’ phones at airports?
No. TSA does not access or review personal phone data.

Are travelers required to delete apps before flying?
No. There is no official list of apps travelers must remove.