The Risk of Surveillance While Protesting

 

It’s critical that individuals in a democratic society can freely express themselves at any time, but perhaps never more so when we are faced with corrupt and abusive police targeting those groups that protest government misconduct.  We face far greater threats against the ability to peacefully protest than should exist in a country built upon the notion of free speech. 

This year (2020), we witnessed widespread use of force by law enforcement against protesters; most of those demonstrations were peaceful, yet were often met with police violence. And given the wide array of powerful surveillance technologies police now possess, protesters may also be worried about the potential for surveillance to be used against them.

The Project On Government Oversight has highlighted some of the key concerns about surveillance of protesters, and how those seeking to speak out can respond.