Police Surveillance

 

Forget NSA Surveillance – Police Are Keeping Tabs On You Too

A YouTube video introduction to police surveillance.  (June 9, 2015)

 

Feds Are Tapping Protesters’ Phones. Here’s How To Stop Them
Micah Lee, The Intercept (September 25 2020)

Federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department used “a sophisticated cell phone cloning attack—the details of which remain classified—to intercept protesters’ phone communications” in Portland this summer, Ken Klippenstein reported this week in The Nation. Put aside for the moment that, if the report is true, federal agents conducted sophisticated electronic surveillance against American protesters, an alarming breach of constitutional rights. Do ordinary people have any hope of defending their privacy and freedom of assembly against threats like this?

Yes, they do. Here are two simple things you can do to help mitigate this type of threat:

As much as possible, and especially in the context of activism, use an encrypted messaging app like Signal — and get everyone you work with to use it too — to protect your SMS text messages, texting groups, and voice and video calls.
    
Prevent other people from using your SIM card by setting a SIM PIN on your phone.

 

Street-Level Surveillance - A Guide to Law Enforcement Spying Technology

EFF’s “Street-Level Surveillance” project shines light on the advanced surveillance technologies that law enforcement agencies routinely deploy in our communities. These resources are designed for members of the public, advocacy organizations, journalists, defense attorneys, and policymakers who often are not getting the straight story from police representatives or the vendors marketing this equipment.


Atlas of Surveillance - Documenting Police Tech in Our Communities with Open Source Research

The Atlas of Surveillance is a database of surveillance technologies deployed by law enforcement in communities across the United States. This includes drones, body-worn cameras, automated license plate readers, facial recognition, and more. This research was compiled by more than 500 students and volunteers, and incorporates datasets from a variety of public and non-profit sources.


Signs to Check If You’re Under Surveillance by Police

Being under surveillance by the police seems like something out of a movie, but it happens frequently. Today, we’re going to show you how to detect two types of police surveillance, plus how to boost your privacy with a VPN. (December 9, 2019)


6 Ways Police Can Spy on You Without a Warrant

The right to privacy is one of America’s most important freedoms, but with the ever-present specter of government surveillance and overreach looming in our midst, it’s also one of the country’s biggest underlying issues.

Law enforcement officers have some tricks up their sleeve to not only locate American citizens wherever they are but to also access highly personal information. Officers are often required to obtain a warrant in order to search a citizen’s house or car, but there are multiple ways they can access digital information and tap into our cyber trails without a judge’s signature. (February 28, 2020)


How to Spot Police Surveillance Tools

Over the last three weeks, hundreds of thousands of Americans have gathered across the country to protest police violence and racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s death. But here’s something to be aware of: If you’re attending a protest, there’s a good chance the police in your city can—and will—know you’re there. (June 12, 2020)