Traveling With Technology: A Guide for Organizations in the Digital Age

Why Digital Discipline Matters More Than Ever
The return of global travel in recent years has been met with a surge in digital risks that often go overlooked. While many travelers are savvy when it comes to packing, planning, and personal safety, their digital behavior, what they post, swipe, or download, can just as easily shape the outcome of a trip.

Recently, we’ve seen several headline-making incidents highlighting the evolving nature of digital risk. A traveler was detained in a Gulf country over a deleted tweet. LGBTQ+ individuals were reportedly targeted through dating apps in parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Tourists have been fined and detained for using unauthorized VPNs in countries with strict censorship laws. These cases are not isolated; they’re part of a broader trend that calls for renewed awareness around online conduct, especially when crossing borders.

Social Media: What’s Online Isn’t Always “Offline”
It’s easy to forget that social media posts, no matter how old, can resurface at the most inopportune times. In some jurisdictions, content critical of government institutions, political figures, or cultural norms can trigger investigations or detention, even if the post was made years prior and later deleted.

Situational Snapshot:
This year, multiple travelers have faced legal complications in regions of the Middle East and Southeast Asia for prior posts flagged during immigration checks or local investigations. In some cases, content was retrieved from cached pages or screenshots, reinforcing the idea that “deleted” doesn’t always mean gone.

Best practice:
Travelers should perform a quick pre-trip social media audit, reviewing public content for political commentary, controversial humor, or location-tagged images that may be misinterpreted. Employers can help by offering communication and social media guidance as part of their pre-travel briefing process.

Dating Apps: More Than Just a Swipe
Dating apps remain a common tool for connection, but in some destinations, they’re also used by scammers, blackmailers, and even security services to entrap users.

Situational Snapshot:
This year, LGBTQ+ travelers have reported incidents of entrapment in countries where same-sex relationships are criminalized. AI-generated profiles have also played a growing role in romance scams, tricking users into sharing sensitive information or transferring money.

Best practice:
Stick to well-known apps with safety features such as location masking and user verification. Always meet in public places, inform a trusted contact of your plans, and avoid sharing accommodation details. If you’re unsure about the local legal context, err on the side of caution and consult your organization’s travel security partner for advice.

VPNs and Internet Access: Navigating the Gray Areas
While VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are often recommended to protect personal data on public Wi-Fi, their use can be illegal in some countries. In 2025, travelers in regions with strict internet censorship laws faced fines or worse for attempting to bypass government firewalls.

Situational Snapshot:
Some travelers, unaware of local laws, have been stopped at border checkpoints or questioned after their VPN usage was flagged by internet providers. As countries tighten control over digital infrastructure, what seems like a basic privacy tool at home may violate local law abroad.

Best practice:
Before traveling, research local restrictions on VPNs and online content. Organizations should offer region-specific guidance on digital access tools, and travelers should only use software permitted by local law.

Messaging Apps: What You Use at Home May Be Banned Abroad
Restrictions on communication platforms continued to evolve. Some messaging apps are banned, blocked, or heavily monitored in several regions, including parts of the Gulf, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. Travelers relying on these platforms could find themselves unable to communicate or subject to local monitoring.

Situational Snapshot:
Some travelers have reported receiving alerts or warnings simply for downloading restricted apps or attempting to use banned features while connected to local networks.

Best practice:
Always confirm which apps are legally accessible in your destination. Organizations should provide an approved app list for communication, and travelers should consider region-specific alternatives as part of their trip preparation.

Moving Forward: A Smarter Approach to Digital Safety
While we’ve recently seen how quickly digital risks can escalate, it has also provided a blueprint for prevention. More organizations are now embedding digital risk education into their broader travel risk management plans, treating online behavior with the same care as physical safety and health.

Key takeaways for travelers and organizations:

• • Audit your social media and digital history before departure.

  • Research local laws on VPNs, dating apps, and social media platforms.

  • Use only legal, secure, and locally permitted communication tools.

  • Educate travelers on region-specific digital risks before every trip.

The digital world travels with you, and in this day and age, knowing how to navigate it is just as important as booking the right flight or packing the right gear.

Want to learn how we help organizations manage digital and physical travel risks? Contact our team today or explore our custom travel safety programs.

About On Call International
When traveling, every problem is unique—a medical crisis, a political threat, even a missed flight. But every solution starts with customized care that ensures travelers are safe and protected. That’s why for over 30 years, On Call International has provided fully-customized travel risk management and emergency assistance services, protecting millions of travelers, their families, and their organizations. Visit https://www.oncallinternational.com and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more.