5 January 2026: The Guardian: UK’s plans to seize asylum seekers’ phones condemned by campaigners
People who are sent to Manston processing centre will be eligible for searches for electronic devices from Monday
Home Office plans to immediately begin seizing asylum seekers’ mobile phones and sim cards without the need for an arrest have been condemned by a solicitor and anti-torture campaigners.
People who arrive by small boat and are sent to Manston processing centre in Kent will from Monday be eligible for searches for electronic devices, a minister has said, with technology on site to download data.
Officials will be allowed to search inside the mouths of detainees for hidden technology, but have so far declined to confirm whether they will also be allowed to search children.
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