HOWTO communicate in repressive regimes

Patrick sez, “Unlike most of us, it looks like @PatrickMeier knows what he’s talking about. He should, considering he’s doing a PhD at Harvard on ‘The Impact of the Information Revolution on Authoritarian Rule and Social Resistance: From Information Revolution to iRevolution?’

Patrick has an excellent guide on How To Communicate Securely in Repressive Environments. He keeps it up to date based on his studies and input from readers, and will provide a more detailed guide on request (my guess is that not all requests will be handled equally).

If you’re a Farsi speaker, please translate it and email me, I will post it (or maybe Patrick will want to post it next to the original).”

Mobile Phones

* Purchase your mobile phone far from where you live. Buy lower-end, simple phones that do not allow third-party applications to be installed. Higher-end ones with more functionalities carry more risk. Use cash to purchase your phone and SIM card. Avoid town centers and find small or second-hand shops as these are unlikely to have security cameras. Do not give your real details if asked; many shops do not ask for proof of ID.

* Use multiple SIM cards and multiple phones and only use pay-as-you go options; they are more expensive but required for anonymity.

* Remove the batteries from your phone if you do not want to be geo-located and keep the SIM card out of the phone when not in use and store in separate places.Use your phone while in a moving vehicle to reduces probability of geo-location.

* Never say anything that may incriminate you in any way.

How To Communicate Securely in Repressive Environments