He was targeted:
SSSS had nothing to do with it.
The markers that generate a non-random SSSS could also generate additional screening at the back end, although of course SSSS is just about a search at the departure airport.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I could see an argument that CBP can physically inspect the phone but not view its electronic contents and especially not stuff stored in the cloud.
I think CBP is much less interested in the physical form of the phone once you're off the plane than it is the contents/cloud materials. From a counterterrorism perspective, a phone containing instructions/information about 'what to do next" would be fairly appealing.