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Travel Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [privacy]

Questions about the differing expectations regarding private space, private activities, etc, in foreign cultures while travelling.

Privacy.

43 questions
71
votes
6 answers

Why do public toilets in the US have large gaps (no privacy)?

Most public toilets in the US are very low in privacy, the bottom gap in the door is so big (around 15-20% of the door), the side gaps are too big as well. This will make the toilet experience so unpleasant with no privacy at all. You can literally…
Nean Der Thal
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3 answers

Why were holes drilled into my luggage when I entered the US?

Around a month ago, I entered the US for the first time. A couple of days back, I was reorganizing stuff, and happened to notice three holes: punched into the side of the bag I had used while entering the US. I don't think this was a random…
B215826
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29
votes
4 answers

Why are airline websites blocking access through Tor?

I tried opening the home pages of a few airline websites through the Tor browser and instead of the home page all I see is a low-key page with "Access Denied". Why would airlines want to prevent access / ticket purchasing through Tor?
Sparkler
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23
votes
2 answers

Is it normal to get an Apple airtag tracking notification on a train?

I recently got several notifications on my iPhone that an unknown Apple Airtag was "following" me. (This was a feature added by Apple some time back to avoid jealous spouses and the like planting an airtag to keep track of someone's whereabouts. …
Italian Philosopher
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22
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6 answers

Can airport security in Israel force me to provide my access credentials to laptop or online accounts?

I've read that going through airport security at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport can sometimes be a nightmare. Being asked a bunch of questions and having someone going through your every single item, in a room away from your sight,…
Daniel
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22
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2 answers

Lots of cell phone spamming after a trip to the US from Canada. Is this to be expected?

This is related to usa - Should I use a "burner" phone when visiting the US? - Travel Stack Exchange but not for border control reasons. I did a road trip through the USA, from Canada, for 5 days. During that trip I: signed up for data roaming…
Italian Philosopher
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21
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4 answers

Why do Turkish Airlines gate agents at Istanbul Airport take photos of passenger passports?

The gate agents of Turkish Airlines have point-and-shoot digital cameras with which they take photos of passenger passports. They did not ask for permission to do that nor provided a reason. Any idea what could be the reason they are doing that?
Sparkler
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18
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3 answers

Photos of people in airplanes specifically not permitted

I took a few flights recently, and for the first time ever (for me), all passengers were told before departing that "taking photos or videos of other passengers or crew is not permitted unless you get permission from them". Seems like this is really…
anon
16
votes
2 answers

What are the consequences of a US citizen denying encryption key to the CBP?

I am considering to travel out of the US. However, being a brown person, I am concerned about the recent actions of the US Customs and Border Protection. I strongly believe in digital privacy and 0% willing to share my data with anybody else. I keep…
Shakhar
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15
votes
1 answer

Legality of cameras in vacation/holiday home?

I'm currently staying in a property in Portugal (Almancil) that has several Verisure cameras inside and outside of the house. I have seen the panel light up red on a few random occasions which led to me researching what this security system is.…
Matt J
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15
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2 answers

German guesthouse asking for date of birth

My wife and I are due to visit Germany soon with friends who organized accommodation at a guesthouse in Bavaria (if that matters). Now, a few days before departure, the guesthouse contacted my friends with a request of all the names and birthdays of…
firtydank
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14
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6 answers

Correct reasons for opting out of millimetre wave scanners

Having travelled through SFO a few times, and each time been asked to go through a millimetre wave (or backscatter) scanner, and each time 'opted out' and gone for the search (in public), I'd like to know what is the proper reasons to give when they…
dsample
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13
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2 answers

Privacy disadvantages of 'frequent flyer miles' program

I am flying quite often, but never signed up for frequent flyer miles card. I am skeptic about my privacy. I also don't understand very well how frequent flyer miles work. With a search engine I found almost no info about this topic: The major…
Sybil
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13
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1 answer

Should I use a "burner" phone when visiting the US?

I'm a New Zealand citizen and I might soon be visiting to the US on short notice for business. I've heard that the US have started to frequently search cellphones. I'm not very comfortable handing over my phone and lock code to US customs - as well…
Stack Exchange Broke The Law
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11
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4 answers

Is there a bag I can use to safely carry my passport and ID whilst travelling?

First of all sorry for these stupid questions, but normally my boyfriend took care of all these stuff, now I am traveling alone for the first time. When I go to the airport, they will put my bag under than machine to check that there is nothing…
sarah
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