A police helicopter circling over protests of immigration raids in Los Angeles offered a chilling warning to the demonstrators below. “I have all of you on camera,” the pilot announced. “I’m going to come to your house.”
The declaration, whether true or not, raised extreme concerns among civil liberties and digital privacy groups, who reiterated the public has a First Amendment right to protest. It also served as a reminder of the vast arsenal of surveillance technology used by law enforcement to monitor these protests ― including devices like license plate readers, drones, cell site simulators, security cameras and more.
Locally, protesters are expected to gather across Rochester and Monroe County on June 14 to push back on policies from the Trump administration. The protests are part of a nationwide effort being called “No Kings Day.” If you’re planning to attend, you might be wondering ― how can I protect myself from surveillance?
Here are some basic tips from civil rights and privacy organizations like the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation:
How to avoid surveillance during protests
“Law enforcement frequently uses social media and surveillance tools to monitor and identify protesters — especially those expressing dissenting views,” said Justin Harrison, a senior attorney with the NYCLU. “New Yorkers should take precautions against intrusive surveillance when protesting: leave electronic devices at home, disable location tracking, and avoid using face recognition features. All New Yorkers deserve to mobilize for their rights without fear of the government’s prying eyes.”
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Twitter @kaylacanne and @bykaylacanne on Instagram. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Headed to a protest? You might want to leave your cell phone at home
Reporting by Kayla Canne, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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