This is really worth emphasising. US CBP officers have wide latitude in denying you entry to the US if you're a visitor. This is especially true for visitors on the Visa Waiver/ESTA program as the reciprocal part of that waiver is you waiving any rights to appeal the decision of the CBP officer who makes the decision.
If you are refused entry under the program for any reason you can't ever use it again and will have to apply for a visa proper.
So you can try and quote laws and rights and not hand over your password, but they're likely to simply refuse you entry. They might well keep the laptop/phone/device too.
If you are refused entry under the program for any reason you can't ever use it again and will have to apply for a visa proper.
So you can try and quote laws and rights and not hand over your password, but they're likely to simply refuse you entry. They might well keep the laptop/phone/device too.