Most criminals don’t actually have great OpSec.

I’m sure there are tons of phones that have incriminating photographs in the default camera app, or incriminating text messages or saved voicemails or who knows what.

In reading crime stories from my area, this IS the case.

Most people don't have great opsec, and most people are technically criminals.

They are looking to toy with you. Power is a funny thing, especially when there is no consequences for abusing your power.

> What are they looking for, exactly?

Probably anything incriminating. Human nature is laziness so if the guy was a baddie then there's a high chance something could be on the devices.

Most violators of the law are not "baddies", unless you believe most people are "baddies"

LEOs prerogative is to see how you are violating the law. Their view is to gather all data which could turn into evidence at a future point. This is that scenario and LEOs do perceive us all as 'baddies'.

>Most people are not baddies

According to the moral sense or The Law? As in "Three Felonies a Day". Because gestapo doesn't have too much interest in the former.

Why would it not be on the phone?

Refer to the article of this thread.

Intimidation and overt censorship. No doubt this simple device pacifies a good subset of society and promotes self-censorship.