Digital Privacy & Security for Activists

With your sign in hand, water and snacks packed, and layers for the weather, you’re ready to head out to the rally you signed up for on Mobilize. But before you step out the door, you pause… should you bring your phone? You’d want it in case of an emergency or to document any action taken against you or others exercising their right to peacefully protest. But you’ve also heard stories about activists being tracked or targeted. You’ve got questions!

How can I keep my personal data protected when I’m in public or at protests?
If I’m deciding whether to bring my phone to a protest, what are the real trade-offs between safety, connectivity, and privacy?
Which apps are tracking me, what data does my phone send without me realizing it, or how do I communicate safely with allies?

We’ll help you find the answers!

NOVA Blue Squad is thrilled to be partnering with Brian Stearns, Executive Director of The Institute for Secure Activism, for a workshop on digital privacy and security.

Activism Under Surveillance Capitalism
In this workshop we will explore the intersection of surveillance capitalism and rising authoritarianism. Commercial advertising efforts have created pervasive tracking systems using everyday technologies, enabling government surveillance and repression. This undermines activists’ ability to organize and act by exposing their identities, homes, employers, and connections. We will interactively explore some privacy and security settings on our personal phones. We'll also learn strategies we can adopt to resist digital exploitation and keep our movements, organizations, and selves safe.

Register for location details!

About Our Presenter
Brian has worked for 25 years in technical instruction and systems & software engineering.  He has an MS in Operations Research from George Mason University, and has expertise in information security, digital forensics, and secure communications. For 10 years he was a technical operations officer supporting US government counterterrorism efforts. He led a tactical digital forensics collection team who worked around the globe including northern Africa, the Levant, and Southwest Asia.  Brian is currently a senior technical advisor at a leading digital privacy firm, and founded the Institute for Secure Activism in 2022.