Apple News Today: Episode Summary – “Tips to Protect the Data on Your Phone at Airports”

Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

1. Georgia Miscarriage Case Sparks Debate on Pregnancy Criminalization

Timestamp: 00:05 – 03:19

The episode opens with a harrowing account of a 24-year-old woman in Tifton, Georgia, who was tragically charged with concealing a miscarriage. Paramedics discovered her unconscious and bleeding, confirming a natural miscarriage at approximately 19 weeks gestation. Instead of receiving the support needed to cope with the trauma, she faced criminal charges for allegedly abandoning a dead body and concealing the death of another person.

Andrea Gonzalez Ramirez, a senior writer with New York Magazine's The Cut, highlights the broader implications:

“[...] this is just like yet another example of what pregnancy criminalization looks like after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.”
(01:01)

The lack of clear legislation surrounding the handling of miscarriages exacerbates the situation. Ramirez points out the absence of laws dictating the proper disposal of fetal remains, raising critical questions about the rights and protections for women experiencing pregnancy loss.

Shemitah Basu adds context by noting:

“Pregnancy loss is very common. About one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage.”
(01:33)

This case marks a significant shift as Georgia attempts to apply fetal personhood laws, which aim to grant embryos and fetuses the same legal rights as individuals. Ramirez warns that such legal frameworks not only restrict abortion access but also threaten practices like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and potentially criminalize pregnant individuals.

2. Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: Elon Musk's Million-Dollar Influence

Timestamp: 03:19 – 07:05

Transitioning to national politics, the focus shifts to the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Brad Schimmel and Susan Crawford. Currently, the court holds a narrow 4-3 liberal majority, making this election crucial for future rulings on sensitive issues such as abortion and congressional districting.

Elon Musk has emerged as a major player, contributing an estimated $20 million to support Schimmel’s candidacy, rendering it the most expensive judicial race in history. During his visit to Wisconsin, Musk donned a Green Bay cheesehead, emphasizing the high stakes involved:

“I feel like this is one of those things that may not seem that it's going to affect the entire destiny of humanity, but I think it will.”
(04:53 – 05:01)

Patrick Marley, a national reporter for the Washington Post, explains the significance of the state Supreme Court in a politically divided state:

“Pretty much every hot button issue winds up before the state Supreme Court. It decided whether the 2020 election results, which Biden won, were valid, and they found that they were by a 4:3 ruling.”
(05:21)

Marley further discusses potential cases on the horizon, including a lawsuit by Musk’s Tesla against a Wisconsin law banning car manufacturers from owning dealerships—a case likely to reach the Supreme Court.

The involvement of Musk and the substantial financial backing reflect the race's importance as a national political battleground. Marley notes:

“Voters in Wisconsin are hoping tomorrow's race is a bellwether of what's to come.”
(06:32)

Basu underscores the polarized atmosphere, with Musk’s supporters viewing the race as a continuation of Donald Trump’s agenda, while Democrats see it as an opportunity to counteract Trumpism.

3. Protecting Your Phone Data at Airports: Navigating CBP Searches

Timestamp: 07:05 – 10:08

Shifting to travel security, the episode delves into the increasing instances of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducting searches on travelers' electronic devices. Recent cases include a French scientist denied entry for possessing critical messages about funding cuts, and a Lebanese physician with content sympathetic to Hezbollah.

Gabby Del Valle, a reporter with The Verge, addresses common traveler concerns:

“What happens if they ask to see my phone? Am I required to show them?”
(07:38)

Del Valle clarifies that the ability to decline a phone search depends on one's immigration status and the entry point into the U.S.:

“If you're a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, you can decline a search, but CBP can take your phone and hold on to it. If you are a visa holder, you can decline a search, but then you can also be denied entry into the US for declining a search.”
(08:02)

Despite CBP device searches being rare—less than 0.01% of international travelers faced them in the 2024 fiscal year—the frequency appears to be rising under the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement policies. Del Valle observes:

“The Trump administration is [...] using CBP's presence at airports to conduct what appears to be like more stringent or additional screenings of travelers.”
(08:38)

Shemitah Basu summarizes the legal backdrop:

“In the past, the Supreme Court has found that cell phone searches that take place without a warrant violate the Fourth Amendment. But border searches are exempt.”
(09:14)

For those concerned about privacy, Del Valle shares practical advice in collaboration with an attorney from the Electronic Frontier Foundation:

1. Back Up and Delete Sensitive Data: Before traveling, back up your phone and remove any sensitive information, restoring it upon return.
2. Encrypt Devices and Use Secure Passwords: Enhance security to protect data from unauthorized access.
3. Disable Face ID and Use Biometric Alternatives with Caution: While biometric data can sometimes unlock devices, it's safer to limit their use.
4. Turn Off Your Phone at the Border: Minimizing digital exposure reduces the risk of data being accessed.

4. Additional News Highlights

Timestamp: 10:08 – End

The episode wraps up with a roundup of other notable news:

• Stock Market Decline: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq experienced their worst quarterly performances in years, with the S&P down 4.6% and the Nasdaq plummeting 10.4%. The Dow Jones also saw a 1.3% decrease for the year, marking a bearish trend ahead of President Trump's “Liberation Day” economic tariffs.

• Missing U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania: The search continues for a fourth U.S. Army soldier missing after an armored vehicle became submerged in a Lithuanian bog during a training exercise. Three other soldiers have been recovered, with rescue efforts challenged by hostile conditions.

• April Fool’s Day Fiascos: A series of failed April Fool’s pranks were highlighted, including:

  • A Bakersfield radio station prank where a woman received a toy instead of a promised Hummer SUV, leading to a lawsuit.
  • A Florida Hooters location erroneously awarding a Toyota to a waitress.
  • Elon Musk’s 2018 Twitter post falsely declaring Tesla’s bankruptcy, which caused a temporary stock drop.

These stories underscore the unpredictable nature of April Fool’s jokes and their potential repercussions.

Conclusion

In this episode of Apple News Today, Shemitah Basu navigates a diverse array of pressing issues, from the criminalization of miscarriages and high-stakes judicial elections influenced by billionaires, to travelers' rights regarding digital privacy at borders. The comprehensive coverage, enriched with expert insights and firsthand accounts, provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of each topic's complexity and broader societal impact.

For more in-depth stories and updates, download the Apple News app and follow Apple News Plus narration features.