I attended a talk from an ACLU policy analyst on digital privacy under the regime. Here are the takeaways
Even if you think that you have no communications that would be a red flag for the administration, using digital privacy protections can help protect others. Normalization of these privacy precautions will make them less of a red flag for authorities to target journalists, whistleblowers and activists who need them, and less likely to be considered as a justification for a search warrant by a judge.
Use Signal as your primary texting tool. It is double encrypted and very secure. The only real risk is if a hostile foreign state is targeting your cell phone or laptop for hacking, like they would a cabinet member or politician. You should also be aware of anyone taking photos when you are using it. Even if you just download it, you are normalizing using encrypted apps - making it much less likely a judge will consider it a justification to grant a warrant for a search. https://signal.org/
Use a VPN, such as Proton (free) to privatize your web browsing. It connects you via various servers, preventing tracking your ISP when you visit a website. https://protonvpn.com/ Be aware that when using a VPN, and it assigns your connection to a foreign country, you will likely have to take more steps to visit a site that has a firewall against foreign visitors - such as Venmo. You can turn it off for as long as you want to visit that site.
Use an encrypted, anonymous email such as Proton email as an substitute for gmail or yahoo mail. Again, even if you don't need encrypted email, just having an account will normalize using it for all. https://proton.me/mail
Cell phone numbers are the new social security numbers. People keep them for decades. Companies want your cell number. Opt out of giving it if you can, and in a two-part authentication, choose email rather than text to your phone for the code.
Cell phones are more secure than laptops.
Sign out of Google services when you are not using them. Google is a marketing company. Your data is their tool and their product. Any documents or information you have stored on Google drive is their property, and can be used by them, and they can cut you off from your drive at any time.
You may *politely and respectfully* decline to hand over your cell phone over to the police without a judicial warrant. Customs is another matter, as they are authorized to search your baggage and phone.
When you travel internationally, use a burner phone, and if you bring your laptop, remove all social medial apps and connections, as well as your email connections. Normalizing this will help to remove this as a red flag for international travelers entering the US, as well as protecting yourself when re-entering the country if you have criticized the administration using any of those devices. You can refuse to unlock your phone for customs, however, they can seize your phone.
Use DuckDuckGo as your primary browser. It does not track your browsing data. However, if you are using an iPhone, it will route you through its Safari browser no matter what browser you download. https://duckduckgo.com/
Clear your browser history and cookies regularly. Be aware that this will require you to have to re-enter any login information saved on your device.
Using "incognito" mode in your browser offers more privacy and protection against tracking your history.
The administration is tracking all posts on social media, especially posts mentioning ICE.
Cameras are everywhere. Wearing N95 masks are a good idea, especially at protests, and in light of the anti-vaccination stance the current administration is taking. And it normalizes masks, nullifying them as red flags for targeting activists, journalists and whistleblowers.
Putting your phone on airplane mode and turning off wifi will cloak your location in case you need to take your phone with you to a protest or a meeting and you may need to turn it on quickly.
Cell phone # are the new Social Security numbers, and companies want them as identifiers because people keep them for decades. Avoid giving yours if possible, and if you need a pin for two-part authentication, choose to have it emailed to you. It's one way they collect numbers.
If you want to use a new app or software, use open source software if possible. Open source code is visible to watchdogs, who can monitor if they are selling or sharing data with anyone.
Your less than 10 year old car is recording and sending data to manufacturers such as your location, the weight of the person in the passenger seat, etc. All this is used for marketing and behavioral advertising but could be turned over to authorities. Some auto repair shops will disable this if you request it. You can also opt out of data sharing in many auto companies. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/03/how-figure-out-what-your-car-knows-about-you-and-opt-out-sharing-when-you-can?
Make it a habit to use cash for purchases when you can. Not only does it prevent tracking, it normalizes cash purchases. Credit card companies are incentivizing businesses to take cards exclusively, and customers using cash will discourage them. Also, the Trump administration has changed the amount for mandatory reporting of cash transactions on money orders or traveler's checks to the government from $10,000 to $200 in 30 counties, mostly in California as an anti-immigration policy. Using cash for $200 or more for such purchases will normalize this and incentivize pushback from the business community.
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