I agree with the sentiment but not with the advice “commit a felony to avoid maybe getting a felony”. There isn’t a chance you’ll get charged with destroying evidence if they’re already looking at you under a microscope like your hypothetical.

Anyone that concerned needs to just not store sensitive data on their phone, and use a messaging app that doesn’t permanently store messages, either. That way you didn’t erase your phone, AND they find nothing. Attempting to secure your data from the cops while you’re already under the lens with a warrant is far too late.

Another case is if they get a warrant for whatever’s on your phone, you knew, and then erased your phone.

Warrants make more sense, because a warrant can be issued just due to probable cause. They need that cause, but that cause doesn’t have to be directly related to your phone. Once you know they have a warrant to search it, you would qualify as “knowingly” altering or destroying evidence.

Dang I didn’t know they got that cheap.

Thanks for the search advice.

Honestly I feel this was always the goal (one of several), but R&D is expensive. Shipping an odd phone that people still buy keeps the shareholders happy while the multi-year research process can eventually produce more usable results.

Single-flip phones were the awkward teenagers, now this phone can be the 18-20 age young adult, fully featured, but needing refinement. Next gen or the one after this will add a lot more robustness.

I kinda like it. Makes me slow down to really understand the text.