Concerned about protecting your privacy from the authorities? Here’s a tip: skip the fingerprint scanner and facial recognition on your phone and stick to using a passcode. When it comes to legal protection, courts have favored passcodes over biometrics because they require you to actively recall information from your brain.

According to Andrew Crocker, Surveillance Litigation Director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), passwords offer more Fifth Amendment protection than biometrics. This distinction is crucial as the Fifth Amendment protects individuals from self-incrimination by preventing them from being compelled to reveal the contents of their minds.

In a recent case, a driver caught with illegal substances was required by his parole terms to provide a passcode for his device. The court ruled that law enforcement could force the suspect to use his fingerprint to unlock the phone since it required minimal cognitive effort, similar to providing a blood sample or fingerprint during booking.

To safeguard your data from unwarranted access, consider disabling biometrics before heading out and rely on your passcode instead. By taking this simple step, you can ensure that your personal information remains secure in case of any legal challenges.