This weekend, an estimated 7 million individuals took to the streets for the “No Kings” protests, creating a digital footprint that largely embodies a day dedicated to peaceful, constitutionally protected expression. In major cities like Los Angeles, the number of arrests remained in the single digits, and reports indicate that disruptive elements largely stayed home. The NYPD reported “zero protest-related arrests” in New York City, underscoring the peaceful nature of these events.
Yet, the narrative from some Republican leaders paints a starkly different picture. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson deemed the No Kings protests as “hate America” rallies, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggests they are part of a coordinated, funded effort by groups like antifa. This rhetoric raises concerns, particularly in light of a recent executive order from the Trump Administration aimed at disrupting financial networks associated with what they term “domestic terrorism.”
“The Trump regime wants us to believe that peaceful, pro-democracy protesters are terrorists for simply defying autocratic rule,” stated Ryan Shapiro, executive director of Property of the People, a nonprofit devoted to governmental transparency. “The real threat lies within the White House itself, undermining the Constitution and waging war on the American people,” he added.
1. Surveillance Is Easier Than You Think
If you drove to the protest, automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) can identify your vehicle’s presence near the event. These systems include fixed cameras along your route or even those mounted on police vehicles scanning nearby parked cars. Public transport is a safer option—but only if you paid in cash. Payments made through apps or cards linked to your personal information may be vulnerable to tracking.
Your smartphone also leaves a trail of location data. If you kept it in airplane mode during the demonstration, you did well, as online connectivity allows location data to be recorded and transmitted. However, as noted by the EFF, some apps may store your GPS coordinates and send them once your phone is back online. Even a basic phone connects with nearby cell towers, making it traceable.
Additionally, law enforcement might deploy “stingrays” or similar tracking devices that replicate genuine cell towers to capture cell phone locations.
2. Photos from Protests Can Be Traced
Before posting photos of the demonstrations on social media, remember to blur faces, especially if you are new to protest etiquette. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) emphasizes that once images are shared, they can be accessed by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Tools like Image Scrubber can help obscure faces and remove identifying metadata, including location info.
If you didn’t wear a mask, it’s likely that your face was captured by others, and not everyone will follow proper privacy protocols. The internet has a tendency to amplify content, meaning your image could appear in unexpected places. Police may also photograph protesters using drone technology, adding to the documentation of the event.
Also, law enforcement employs facial recognition technology, like Clearview AI, scanning millions of images to identify individuals. However, this technology is banned in several states, including Vermont and California.
3. What’s the Risk of Being in a Public Protest?
Many are concerned about their personal data and the legal ramifications of participating in protests. How does attending a protest affect your privacy? It can leave you exposed to surveillance, which is increasingly prevalent in our digital age. Your data—whether through social media, mobile devices, or surveillance cameras—can be tracked.
What should you do to protect your identity during public gatherings? Consider using cash for transit and avoid sharing real-time updates on social media. Be mindful of your phone settings and the apps you use, as they may compromise your location privacy.
4. The Bigger Picture: Who’s Watching?
Reports indicate that powerful data firms, such as Palantir, are collaborating with government agencies to compile a comprehensive database of citizen information. Although Palantir denies these claims, the potential for surveillance techniques combined with large datasets poses risks to personal privacy.
In summary, while participating in protests is a fundamental right, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about surveillance practices. Educating yourself about your digital footprint and how to minimize it can help protect your privacy.
Have you ever wondered what happens to protest data after the event? Enforcement agencies often retain such information for monitoring and analysis, using advanced technologies for tracking. It’s vital to be aware of this ongoing surveillance, especially in today’s climate.
If you’re curious about how surveillance affects democratic freedoms, deepen your understanding by exploring related content on this topic. For more insights, check out Moyens I/O.