How Do I Prepare My Phone for a Protest? (Updated 2024) – The Markup
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Simple steps to take before hitting the streets

Shared here for public benefit.

Before going to a protest, demonstrators or observers should note that their cellphones may subject them to surveillance tactics by law enforcement. If your cellphone is on and unsecured, your location can be tracked and your unencrypted communications, such as SMS, may be intercepted. Additionally, police may retrieve your messages and the content of your phone if they take custody of your phone, or later by warrant or subpoena.

  • NιƙƙιDιɱҽʂ@lemmy.worldEnglish
    42·
    1 day ago

    Leave it on at home.

    “Your honor, as you can see from my mobile device location history, I never even left my house that day.”

    Not that that’ll actually work or that they’ll care, but still…

    • biggerbogboy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      12 hours ago

      Even better, have your tv on the whole time, so if the tv sends telemetry data that’s also linked to the phone, it’ll show you were at home the whole time.

      • Patch@feddit.ukEnglish
        2·
        3 hours ago

        Ask a non-protesting friend or family member to take it with them about their daily routine?

        I’m sure my mum would be happy to look after my phone for a day if it meant getting one over on three authorities. And if anyone asks, I’m just a good son who likes to hang out with his mum.

        • KingPorkChop@lemmy.caEnglish
          2·
          6 hours ago

          If I’m sitting on the couch, the phone is not on me. It’s on the table next to me or on a counter somewhere. I don’t even always look at it if I get a message. Sometimes I’ll wait hours after I get a message to read it.

        • MangoCats@feddit.itEnglish
          4·
          22 hours ago

          Movement data shows that you scratch your fleas a lot, you should do something about that.