Attending large events always comes with risks to your digital security. Law enforcement agencies routinely monitor political rallies, exploiting legal loopholes and using tools like IMSI catchers (fake cell towers) to intercept large amounts of communication data. You can mitigate these risks by taking a few precautionary steps before the event.

Minimize Tracking

• Use Airplane Mode: Manually disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth unless necessary.
• Disable Location Services: Turn off GPS tracking in your device settings.
• Use a Burner Phone: Consider using a prepaid phone that isn’t linked to your identity.

Secure Communications

• Use Encrypted Messaging Apps: Signal is the best option for end-to-end encrypted communication.
• Avoid Regular Calls and Texts: These can be intercepted. Stick to encrypted messaging.
• Use a VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, masking your location and activity from surveillance.

Limit Data Exposure

• Turn Off Biometric Unlocking: Use a strong PIN instead of fingerprint or face unlock.
• Enable Auto-Lock: Set your phone to lock quickly when not in use.
• Delete Sensitive Data: Remove protest-related messages, photos, and browsing history before attending.

Prevent Device Interception

• Avoid Unknown Networks: Do not connect to public Wi-Fi, which may be monitored.
• Update Your Software: Keep your phone updated to patch security vulnerabilities.

Plan for Emergencies

• Write Down Important Numbers: In case your phone is confiscated or disabled.
• Backup Your Data: Store important files in a secure, cloud-based service or external drive.
• Set Up Remote Wipe: Enable features like Find My iPhone or Google’s Find My Device to erase data remotely if necessary.