# Activist Checklist

> Plain-language digital security guides for activists and organizers. Free, CC BY-SA licensed, field-tested.

## Guides

- [Prepare for a Direct Action](https://activistchecklist.org/action/): Risking arrest at a planned direct action? Set crew-wide phone agreements, prep your device, and hand it off to a support person before deployment.
- [Doxxing Defense Checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/): Doxxing defense for activists. Get your address off data broker sites, lock down social media, and limit what right-wing groups can find about you.
- [Personal Emergency Planning](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/): Plan for state repression: detention, FBI or ICE at your door, threats at home. Worksheet, contacts, evacuation, and pod mapping for activists.
- [Security Essentials](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/): Securing your phone protects your whole community, not just you. Easy step-by-step guides for your phone, computer, Signal, browser, and accounts.
- [Digital Security for Federal Workers](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/): For federal workers resisting the Trump/Musk/DOGE takeover. Protect your communications, devices, and identity from agency monitoring and retaliation.
- [ICE Watch Digital Security](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/): ICE watch digital security. Protect what's on your phone if seized: your contacts, location history, and the organizing network you're connected to.
- [Digital Security for Direct Action Organizing](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/): Organizing a protest or direct action? Cops target movement organizers. Set agreements with your crew, lock down your devices, and prepare participants.
- [Prepare for a Protest](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/): Heading to a protest? Prep your phone, Signal, and lock screen before you go. Reduce what cops can pull off a seized device and map back to your network.
- [Action Research & Scouting](https://activistchecklist.org/research/): Research an action target without leaving a trail. Use Tor Browser for online research and a phone with minimal data if you have to scout in person.
- [Secondary Phone Checklist ("burner phone light")](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/): For organizers, frequent protesters, and anyone whose phone holds sensitive movement data. Set up a second device that exposes less if seized.
- [Signal Security Checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/): Signal is secure if you configure it right. Step-by-step to keep your messages and network safe if your phone is seized or your group is infiltrated.
- [Protecting Against Spyware](https://activistchecklist.org/spyware/): Pegasus, Graphite, and other commercial spyware target high-profile activists, journalists, and lawyers. Who's at risk and how to harden your phone.
- [Travel & Flight Security](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/): Can CBP unlock your phone at the US border? You can refuse, with limits. How to prep before you fly, what your rights are, and when a secondary phone helps.
- [WhatsApp Security Checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/): WhatsApp is not the most private messenger, but it's already where a lot of organizing happens. Step-by-step settings to keep your messages, groups, and contacts safer.

## Pages

- [About This Site](https://activistchecklist.org/about/): Why we built this site: existing security guides were either too simple or too overwhelming. How we keep it accurate, plain-language, and accountable.
- [Contribute to Activist Checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/contribute/): Volunteer with Activist Checklist: edit guides, write new ones, translate, suggest news, report broken links, or help with code, design, and outreach.
- [Flyer (Printable)](https://activistchecklist.org/flyer/): A handout for protests and community events. Spread digital security to the activists around you, not just yourself. Free to print and share.
- [Why we need to remove everything after the '?' in links](https://activistchecklist.org/links/): Sharing a link with a tracking code de-anonymizes everyone you share it with. How to spot tracking parameters and strip them before you post in Signal.
- [Lockdown Mode and Advanced Protection: usability trade-offs](https://activistchecklist.org/lockdown/): Should you enable iPhone Lockdown Mode or Android Advanced Protection? Every feature it disables and whether the security trade is worth it for you.
- [Movies, Books & Podcasts About Surveillance](https://activistchecklist.org/movies/): Films, books, and podcasts that show how the government has surveilled and infiltrated movements, from COINTELPRO to Pegasus to NSA mass surveillance.
- [Activist Checklist's Tor onion service](https://activistchecklist.org/onion/): Visit Activist Checklist over Tor for full network privacy. The onion address hides what you're reading from your ISP, your network, and from us.
- [Host a Security Party](https://activistchecklist.org/party/): Most activists mean to do digital security and never get to it. A security party is one way to help it actually happen. How to host one, with a template agenda.
- ["Police at the Door" Know Your Rights Poster](https://activistchecklist.org/police/): A printable Know Your Rights poster for when FBI, ICE, DHS, or police come to your door. Includes the steps to take and space for your emergency contacts.
- [Protecting Your Privacy](https://activistchecklist.org/privacy/): What we collect (almost nothing) and why. Activist Checklist is built so that even if it gets subpoenaed, there's nothing useful to hand over.
- [How to use Proton safely](https://activistchecklist.org/proton/): How to use Proton Mail, Proton Docs, and Proton VPN safely as an activist. What is encrypted, what is not, common misunderstandings, and when to use other tools instead.
- [Resources](https://activistchecklist.org/resources/): Other digital security guides we trust for activists, plus the books, zines, and training orgs we draw from. EFF, Privacy Guides, CLDC, and more.
- [Is Apple Intelligence reading my Signal messages?](https://activistchecklist.org/signal-ai/): Is Apple Intelligence reading your Signal messages? Probably not the messages, but it can process Signal notifications. How to disable it on iPhone.
- [Is Signal secure? (Yes!)](https://activistchecklist.org/signal-secure/): Is Signal secure for activist use? Yes. How the encryption works, what Signal can share with law enforcement, and the myths that get it wrong.
- [VPNs for activists](https://activistchecklist.org/vpn/): Why activists might benefit from using a trusted VPN with ad-blocking and which ones we recommend (IVPN, Proton).

## Checklist items

- [(If needed) Arrange care support for dependents during evacuation](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#dependents): If you would not be able to bring dependents with you, or if your assessment is that it would be safer to separate from them in the case of an evacuation: If y…
- [(Optional) Get other personal safety items (pepper spray, keychain alarm)](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#personal-safety-items): Personal safety items like this can be stored at your home, or kept on your keychain if you'd like them with you wherever you go.
- [(Optional) Read Catalyst Project's Troublemaker's Guide](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#troublemakers-guide): Whereas the CCR guide is largely directed at individuals, the Catalyst Project Troublemaker's Guide provides an organizational understanding of state repressio…
- [Activate the phone](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#activate): This is how you turn on phone service 1.
- [Add a security PIN to your bank and cell phone accounts](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#account-pin): Your bank accounts and cell phone provider account are high-value targets where you want to add extra protections.
- [Ask people you live with to scrub their private info from "people search" sites](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#housemates): One of our main goals is to protect your home address from bad actors.
- [Avoid bringing your personal phone/laptop to federal buildings (if you can)](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#no-phone): The most secure option is to not bring your phone or laptop.
- [Avoid using “Sign in with [Google, Facebook, etc]”](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#sso): Every time you use "Sign in with Google" (or similar options) you're letting Google track which services you use and connect them to your real identity.
- [Avoid using the Signal desktop app](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#signal-desktop): For added security, don't use the signal desktop app as it creates an additional way for an attacker to get access to all your messages if they hack into your…
- [Backup Signal messages and delete the Signal app before entering a risky situation](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#signal-travel): Signal messages are often sensitive and something we want to protect from government surveillance.
- [Backup your phone](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#backup-phone): We recommend backing up your phone on a computer rather than the cloud for more security.
- [Be alert for fake messages from "Signal Support" trying to get your Signal PIN or verification code](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#fake-signal-support): There have been an increasing number of fake messages from "Signal Support" that are attempting to hijack your account.
- [Blur your house on Google Maps and Apple Maps](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#blur-maps): If a bad actor can get ahold of your address, they might try to find your house on Google Maps if they intend to harass or harm you in-person.
- [Build mutual support relationships with trusted neighbors](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#trusted-neighbors): This is about creating the kind of community power that keeps everyone safer, when and where it's possible to do so.
- [Buy a prepaid plan](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#plan): Most phones don’t come with any minutes or data, so you need to buy a prepaid service plan.
- [Buy a SIM card](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#sim): If you bought a phone new directly from the prepaid provider: it probably comes with a SIM card already.
- [Change your default settings so all new Signal threads have disappearing messages enabled](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#signal-disappearing): The best upgrade everyone can make to their use of Signal is to make sure that disappearing messages are enabled by default.
- [Check that you're not sharing your live location in any WhatsApp chats](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-live-location): WhatsApp lets you share your real-time location with a person or group for a set amount of time.
- [Check WhatsApp's Linked Devices list regularly](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-linked-devices): WhatsApp's multi-device feature is a major pathway for an attacker to takeover your account.
- [Complete a comprehensive home safety walkthrough and take notes](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#walkthrough): Walk through your home and surrounding area to identify security strengths and vulnerabilities.
- [Complete comprehensive Safety Planning Worksheet](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#planning-checklist): Follow the steps below to create a comprehensive reference document that serves as your "emergency handbook" — everything your primary safe person would need t…
- [Complete our Digital Security Essentials checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#essentials-doxxing): If you're concerned about doxxing, it's a good idea to complete the steps outlined in our Digital Security Essentials checklist → Many of these will protect yo…
- [Complete our guide to secure your phone](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#secure-phone): Do everything in the Prepare for a Protest checklist (including the "enhanced security" section)
- [Complete our Security Essentials guide](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#security-essentials): Do everything in the Security Essentials checklist (including the "enhanced security" section).
- [Configure Signal so your phone number is not discoverable](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#signal-number-not-discoverable): Even though your phone number isn't visible on Signal by default, people can still type in your phone number and find you.
- [Configure Signal to be as secure and private as possible](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#signal-consolidated): The steps below help protect you if your device is confiscated by the cops, or an adversary (cop or right-wing) in a Signal group is trying to uncover your ide…
- [Configure Signal to be the most secure](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#configure-signal): Complete all the steps in our Signal Checklist to make Signal more secure and private.
- [Consider getting a secondary or burner phone for activist work](https://activistchecklist.org/spyware/#secondary-device): If it fits your workflow, consider setting up a second phone just for your higher-risk work.
- [Consider getting a secondary phone for ICE watch and rapid response](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#secondary-ice): ICE watch and rapid response work comes with a higher risk of arrest.
- [Consider paying in cash](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#cash): Once again, we're not trying to achieve anonymity here, so paying with a card is fine, but why not add one additional buffer layer between your identity and th…
- [Consider setting your LinkedIn and other social profile to be more private](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#linkedin): We have seen multiple reports of DOGE using references to "DEI" on LinkedIn and other social media profiles LinkedIn: Public profile visibility: LinkedIn > Edi…
- [Consider using a "regular" camera to film instead (if possible)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#simple-camera): Most of the digital security advice on this page relates to your phone being confiscated or surveilled.
- [Consider what you’d do for a fast evacuation](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#fast-exit): If a threatening person shows up at your house with no notice, it is good to have considered how you would exit.
- [Cover the front camera](https://activistchecklist.org/spyware/#cover-cameras): If you were infected by spyware already, it can perform live surveillance on your device, accessing the camera and microphone.
- [Create a separate email account](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#email): You will use this email to set up your prepaid mobile account and your phone app store account (Apple or Google).
- [Create and organize your support pod](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#create-pod): Identify 3-5 people who can provide different types of support during a crisis.
- [Create your emergency plan if you are arrested (or feel unsafe at home)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#emergency-plan-ice): As dissent is becoming increasingly criminalized, it is useful for us to prepare for the possibility of arrest or feeling threatened at home by adversaries.
- [Designate someone who can access your residence and important items](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#key-acces): Ensure at least one trusted person has access to your residence and knows where to find essential items in case you cannot access them yourself during an emerg…
- [Determine what decision-making support you need during emergencies](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#decision-support): During emergencies, you might need to make important decisions quickly - like whether to evacuate, who to call, how to respond to authorities, or where to go f…
- [Develop situational awareness practices when entering/leaving home](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#situational-awareness): Build habits that help you notice unusual activity, unfamiliar people, or potential threats around your home.
- [Disable "Show Calls in Recents" (iPhone-only)](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-hide-calls-in-recent): This prevents the cops from seeing your Signal call history if they confiscate your phone.
- [Disable Advertising ID (which can let cops track your location)](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#ad-id): We know that ICE and other law enforcement agencies are using location tracking tools that partially rely on the "advertising ID" that your phone provides.
- [Disable AI notification summaries ](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-disable-ai): Google and Apple haven't made it clear when their AI tools are sending our private information (like Signal messages) off of our device onto their services.
- [Disable AI notification summaries for WhatsApp](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-disable-ai): Apple Intelligence and Android's notification summaries can send parts of your notifications to cloud servers.
- [Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#bluetoothwifi-disable): If you're bringing your phone, we assume you're using it to communicate and need a cell connection, and that turning on airplane mode probably won't work for y…
- [Disable face/fingerprint unlock (biometric)](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#biometrics-disable): iPhone: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Disable Use Face ID for iPhone Unlock (You can leave the rest enabled.) Android: Settings > Lock Screen (or Security) >…
- [Disable link previews](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-link-previews): This protects you from certain attacks.
- [Disable Location Services system-wide before doing higher-risk activities (Airplane mode alone doesn't disable GPS tracking)](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#gps-disable): Cops use various kinds of warrantless location-tracking tools to surveil activists.
- [Disable previews in Signal notifications](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#signal-disable-previews): Open Signal > Tap your profile picture > Settings > Notifications > Notification Content > Select No Name or Content
- [Disable voice assistants while your phone is locked (Siri or Google Assistant)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#voice-assistants-disable): iPhone: Settings > Siri > Disable Allow Siri When Locked Android: Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Search, Assistant & Voice > Google Assistant >…
- [Disable WhatsApp chat backups (and ask your contacts to do the same)](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-disable-backups): The default backups that WhatsApp creates to iCloud or Google Drive are NOT end-to-end encrypted.
- [Ditch Google Search and use a search engine like Brave Search instead](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#search): Brave Search tends to have better results and we trust them, but some folks don't align with their business model DuckDuckGo results aren't as reliable but it…
- [Do a manual Google search for your private info](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#manual-search): If you only rely on automatic data removal tools like EasyOptOuts, there will likely still be a lot of results that show your private info.
- [Do an advanced social media scrub and lockdown everything](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#social-media-advanced): The basic social media lockdown steps above are a good start.
- [Don't "chat" with Meta AI on WhatsApp](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-meta-ai): For activists, Meta AI is a data collection feature dressed up as a helpful assistant.
- [Don't click suspicious links](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#links): Spyware often arrives through a text or email with a link custom-designed to feel impossible-to-ignore specifically for you.
- [Don't share anything on WhatsApp that you wouldn't also post on social media](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-no-sensitive-topics): Be aware that discussions around political or strategic topics may be monitored by far-right actors, especially in groups or channels used for mass communicati…
- [Don’t share photos/videos with identifiable faces](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#photos-dont-share): Even with the risk, our documentation of actions is often an essential part of sharing our story and winning people over.
- [Don't use your real name or photo on your Signal profile](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#signal-display-name): A lot of community organizing happens in unvetted groups on Signal where you don't know how much you can trust everyone in the group.
- [Don't use your real name or photo on your WhatsApp profile](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-display-name): A lot of community organizing happens in unvetted groups on WhatsApp where you don't know how much you can trust everyone in the group.
- [Dress to blend in, consider hiding your face if you want more privacy](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#dress-to-blend-in): Cops can use facial recognition technology to identify you from security camera footage.
- [Enable "Always Relay Calls"](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-relay-calls): By default, Signal calls connect directly between you and the other person.
- [Enable "Screen Lock" and "Hide in App Switcher"](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#screen-lock): Screen Lock: If you hand your phone to someone while unlocked, this ensures they must provide the face/fingerprint/PIN unlock again before opening Signal.
- [Enable a private keyboard for Signal (Android-only)](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-private-keyboard): On Android, the default keyboard can log what you type.
- [Enable Advanced Chat Privacy on sensitive WhatsApp chats and groups](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy): Advanced Chat Privacy is a per-chat toggle that blocks chat export, disables auto-downloading media, and blocks Meta AI features in that specific chat.
- [Enable disappearing messages by default on WhatsApp](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-disappearing): Enabling disappearing messages by default keeps you and your contacts safer if a phone is ever confiscated or breached.
- [Enable encryption on your laptop](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#laptop-encryption): If you have a strong password, disable face/fingerprint unlock, and enable disk encryption, your laptop and other devices will be very hard to access.
- [Enable Google's "Results About You" notifications](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#google-results-about-you): Google offers Results About You as a tool to help you know when your private information is shared online.
- [Enable iCloud Advanced Data Protection (iPhone) or Google Advanced Protection Program](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#account-protection): Apple, Google, and other services offer additional security features to protect against targeted attacks on your accounts and data.
- [Enable Lockdown Mode (iPhone) or Advanced Protection (Google & Android)](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#lockdown): Mercenary spyware is an extremely advanced attack, exploiting sophisticated vulnerabilities on our devices.
- [Enable Signal PIN and Registration lock](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#signal-pin): If a highly-motivated attacker is able to find out your phone number, they can attempt to take it over through something called "SIM Swapping" or by calling yo…
- [Enable Strict Account Settings on WhatsApp](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-strict-account): Enabling Strict Account Settings turns on a number of protections at once.
- [Enable two-factor authentication](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#mfa): After entering your password, you'll need to enter a code from your phone to prove it's really you.
- [Enable username and hide phone number](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-enable-username): If you installed Signal before March 2024 when they introduced usernames, your phone number may still be set to be visible to others.
- [Establish digital security agreements with participants/members](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#security-agreements): Phone security: Create agreements around who is bringing phones and what level of security is needed given the risk of this action.
- [Establish household door-answering practices (if police are at the door)](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#door-practices): Create household protocols for handling unexpected visitors to prevent intrusion and keep everyone safer.
- [Follow all the steps in the first two sections of this guide](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#other-sections): All the steps in the Baseline Security Approach and Medium Security Approach sections above still apply even if you're using secondary devices.
- [Follow our advanced Signal configuration checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#signal-advanced-guide): Complete all the steps in our Signal Checklist to make signal more secure and private.
- [Follow our Security Essentials checklist for more protection](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#essentials-federal): Follow our Security Essentials checklist to make sure your personal devices are as secure as possible.
- [Follow our Signal security checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#signal-security-checklist): Complete all the steps in our Signal Checklist to make Signal more secure and private.
- [Follow the entire prepare for a protest checklist](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#protest-guide): All of the items in the Prepare for a Protest checklist still apply to a protest phone.
- [Freeze your credit reports](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#freeze-credit): A bad actor might try to open credit cards in your name, which can damage your credit score and create long-term financial difficulties.
- [Full implementation of home safety measures (as time allows)](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#home-improvement-all): It may take a while to complete all these items, so we separated it from the item above.
- [Fully disable face/fingerprint unlock (biometrics)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#biometrics): Cops can try to force you to unlock your phone with your face/fingerprint (though this is supposed to require a warrant, but that doesn't mean that always happ…
- [Fully power off your phone & laptop before you approach security checkpoints](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#phone-off-travel): Almost all phones (and some laptops) are encrypted by default.
- [Fully power off your phone if your risk of arrest is going up](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#phone-off): When your phone is fully powered off, it's more secure against data extraction by the cops.
- [Gather your emergency contacts](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#emergency-contacts): Having all these contacts in one organized place saves precious time during an emergency.
- [Generate a random passphrase for your laptop (if you're bringing it)](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#passphrase): The encryption on your devices is only as strong as your passphrase.
- [Get a data-only eSIM or physical SIM](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#sim-data-only): 1. Check this list to see if your phone model supports an eSIM or not.
- [Get a phone (cheap vs more secure)](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#phone-model): Most affordable phone model: ($50-60 new) Tracfone cheapest smart phone ($50-60 new) Examples: Samsung a03s, Moto G Play Go to the website for your prepaid car…
- [Get an alternate phone number instead of sharing your primary number publicly](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#alternate-phone-number): Sharing your primary phone number publicly not only puts you at risk of harassing calls/texts, but if any of the "people search" sites haven't removed you, som…
- [Give people your Signal username instead of your phone number](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#signal-username-only): 1. Go to Open Signal > Tap your profile picture > Settings > Privacy > Phone Number and set Who can find me by number to Nobody.
- [Help the people around you defend their private info (family, friends, co-workers, comrades, neighbors)](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#spread-the-word): If you are a high-risk target, you should evaluate the likelihood that others in your life might be targeted as part of harassing/harming you.
- [Hide message preview and sender name for Signal notifications](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#signal-disable-notifications): If your phone is confiscated, there are two ways the cops can get access to your notification history: 1.
- [Hide or deactivate social media accounts](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#socials): Unless you're intentionally trying to maintain a widely public social media presence, it's a good idea to lock down your accounts at least temporarily.
- [Hide WhatsApp notification content on the lock screen](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-disable-notifications): If your phone is confiscated, your notification history can reveal message content and sender names, even after the messages themselves have disappeared.
- [Hide your "Last seen & online" time on WhatsApp](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-hide-last-seen): By default, anyone you've ever exchanged messages with can see when you were last on WhatsApp.
- [Identify and prepare your primary safe person](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#safe-person): A “primary safe person” will hold emergency information for you and be your main contact if you're detained, threatened, or need help thinking through a crisis…
- [Identify basic needs you tend to forget during crisis (eating, medications, sleep, etc.)](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#forgotten-needs): Common things people forget during stress: 1.
- [Identify neighbors and housemates who might be a risk](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#risky-neighbors): Honestly evaluate the people in your immediate environment to identify who might provide mutual support versus who might pose potential risks to your security.
- [Identify people for specific roles during the evacuation period](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#evacuation-support-roles): Know exactly who to contact for different types of help during evacuation.
- [Identify what helps you think clearly during stress](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#grounding): The Purpose: During a crisis, people often experience cognitive changes - your brain might go into fight/flight mode, you might feel overwhelmed, or have troub…
- [If possible, hand your phone to someone not risking arrest](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#phone-handoff): Not having your phone on you when you are detained is the best way to protect your data and the movement.
- [If you do bring a personal device, follow these steps to keep it more secure](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#personal-secure): We should assume that any government network or device can monitor anything we do, even if it is on our personal device.
- [If you need to send photos/videos of the action, use Signal (not email)](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#share-media): Signal is the best option because it removes metadata (like location, phone model, and date/time).
- [If you've ever had mobile device management tools installed on your personal device, remove them](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#mdm): Mobile Device Management apps are a piece of software that helps the government (or companies) remotely manage devices to keep them secure.
- [Implement the top 3-5 home security improvements from your assessment](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#home-improvements-top): Review your notes from the home assessment and choose the most important and doable improvements for your situation.
- [Install & configure Signal](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#install-signal): You have two options for how you use Signal: Option 1: Use a totally separate Signal profile for this phone (recommended) Pros: Your phone is always ready to g…
- [Install a secure browser](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#install-apps): Install Onion Browser (iPhone) or Tor Browser (Android) for maximum privacy.
- [Install a trusted VPN with ad-blocking to make it harder for cops to do warrantless surveillance](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#vpn): Anytime you connect to the internet (phone or computer), your internet provider is revealing your approximate location to every site/app you use.
- [Install Magic Earth as your maps app](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#install-maps): 1. Install Magic Earth on this phone 2.
- [Invest in advanced data removal services (ex: Optery Ultimate)](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#data-removal-advanced): If you're at very high risk of being attacked for your politics, you'll want to make sure you've done a thorough job scrubbing your data online.
- [Keep your phone (and laptop) updated to the latest operating system version](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#updates): Every time a new operating system update comes out, it is fixing security holes.
- [Keep your phone in airplane mode whenever possible at a protest](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#airplane-mode): Airplane mode will not disable the GPS location tracking.
- [Know your rights when crossing the border](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#kyr): Disclaimer: This is just information and not legal advice.
- [Leave Signal groups that might put others at risk](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#signal-leave-extra-groups): If your phone is confiscated by law enforcement, one of the biggest risks is exposing your entire network.
- [Lock down the privacy settings on your social media accounts](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#social-media-basic): Locking down our social media profiles can take a long time.
- [Lock down your WhatsApp organizing groups](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-group-settings): If you're running an organizing group, the settings on the group itself matter as much as your personal settings.
- [Log out of websites that have sensitive information (phone and computer)](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#logout): Remember to log out on both your phone and your laptop.
- [Make a personal emergency plan in case you are threatened at home](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#emergency-plan): The highest level of attack from doxxing involves someone finding you in-person at your home or in your life to harass, threaten, or attempt to harm you.
- [Make a safety plan with 2+ emergency contacts](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#safety-plan): 1. Contacts: Ask 2-3 people to act as your emergency contacts 2.
- [Manually opt-out of “people search” sites that aren’t covered automatically](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#people-search-manual): Some of these sites make it very difficult to remove a profile, so services like EasyOptOuts can't do it for you.
- [Meet with the pod or have individual conversations](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#pod-meeting): Meet with your support pod members to discuss roles, expectations, and how you'll communicate during a crisis.
- [Never enter a pairing code or scan a QR code under "Linked devices"](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-pairing-code-scams): What is "Linked Devices"?
- [Never send anyone your WhatsApp PIN or 6-digit verification code](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-fake-support): Your WhatsApp PIN and the 6-digit verification code WhatsApp texts you are the keys to your account.
- [Only discuss resistance & critiques away from government devices (phones/laptops)](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#quiet): It is reasonable to act as though all of your government devices are monitoring you.
- [Only give WhatsApp access to specific photos from your photo library](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-limit-photo-access): Meta recently rolled out a feature in the Facebook app where all images in your photo library are sent to their servers and processed.
- [Opt out of facial recognition at the airport (and wear a mask)](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#optout): In the United States, citizens have the right to opt out of facial recognition when passing through security (TSA).
- [Opt-out of "face search" sites](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#face-search-optout): You can protect yourself by opting out of "reverse photo search" sites.
- [Opt-out of Clearview AI to make facial recognition harder for the cops](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#clearview): ICE is using Clearview AI to target protesters and observers.
- [Pick a phone number you'll call if you're arrested. Write it on your body in sharpie.](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#legal-hotline-on-body): This is the number you will call if you’re arrested that can support you from the outside.
- [Pick a prepaid cell provider](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#cell-provider): If you’re buying a new phone, you might end up choosing the provider based on what is in stock near you.
- [Plan communication schedule and methods during evacuation](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#communication-agreements): Setting expectations about where you'll communicate and how often you'll communicate can help everyone in your emergency contact network feel reassured amidst…
- [Plan for emergency transportation and lodging (short- and long-term)](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#transportation-and-lodging): 1. Transportation: Identify how you will get to your safe location, including backup transportation options and the safest route to take.
- [Plan your trip with surveillance in mind](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#surveillance-along-route): Think through the level of risk you’re taking and consider the level of effort you want to put in to avoiding surveillance.
- [Prepare "go bag" for an overnight stay away from home](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#go-bag): Pack and maintain a "go bag" with essential items for an overnight stay away from home.
- [Prepare a secondary laptop (if applicable)](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#secondary-laptop): If you can manage without a laptop, that's safer.
- [Prepare a secondary phone (and keep very little information on it)](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#secondary-travel): Take the Secondary Phone Checklist steps, but with the following changes: 1.
- [Print a paper boarding pass and travel documents](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#ticket): 1. Boarding passes can usually be printed at the airport 2.
- [Print directions or use offline maps](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#directions-print-or-offline-maps): You can protect yourself from the “geofence warrants” that cops use to track anyone in a given area.
- [Print our “Police at the Door” know your rights poster](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#poster): This poster helps remind you and your housemates what to do in an emergency, and it also helps inform people who visit your house about their rights.
- [Protect yourself from doxxing (online harassment) by removing yourself from "people search" sites](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#doxxing): "People search" sites collect and publish profiles on all of us including our name, addresses, phone numbers, profile photos, email addresses, and social media…
- [Read about pod mapping and community accountability](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#read-pod-mapping): Learn about pod mapping - a framework for building intentional support networks created by disability justice organizer Mia Mingus.
- [Read this booklet to learn how to respond to state repression](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#ccr-kyr-booklet): The Center for Constitutional Rights has a thorough booklet on best practices for responding to state repression.
- [Reboot your device regularly](https://activistchecklist.org/spyware/#reboot): We can't be certain whether spyware can survive a reboot (i.e.
- [Record videos without unlocking your phone (just swipe left!)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#film-while-locked): If your phone is confiscated while you are filming or photographing, the cops can get access to everything.
- [Reduce your online footprint to protect against doxing](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#prevent-doxxing): Action organizers and movement leaders are at higher risk of being targeted by doxing attacks.
- [Remove all members from unused/unvetted Signal groups after an action](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#purge-signal): If you have any unvetted Signal groups, it is best to operate as though there may be informants in the group.
- [Remove as many apps as you can from your phone/device](https://activistchecklist.org/spyware/#minimization): If you want to make it tougher for a thief to get into your home, one easy step is to cut down on the number of doors.
- [Remove hidden photo info (location, etc.) before posting/sharing](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#photo-mmmetadata): By default, photos and videos from your phone include hidden data ("metadata") that reveals your exact GPS location, timestamp, and phone model.
- [Remove smart home speakers from your home (Alexa, Google Home, etc)](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#smart-speakers): If you're in a higher risk category, you should be conscious anytime you're talking about political activity around a microphone.
- [Remove your house from real estate sites (Zillow, Redfin, etc.)](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#zillow): Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com and others often show not just the outside of your house (which presents some risk) but can show a detailed layout of the inside of…
- [Remove yourself from “people search” sites using an automated service (like EasyOptOuts)](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#people-search-removal-automatic): "People search" sites are a type of "data broker." They collect information from public and private records to form a "profile" for basically everyone.
- [Revoke location permissions from individual apps that don't need it (which is most of them)](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#location): 1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services 2.
- [Scrub your private data online and social media accounts to defend against harassment/doxxing](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#doxxing-defense): The government uses social media tracking tools to surveil activists without a warrant.
- [Securely back up your WhatsApp chats (only if you absolutely need backups)](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-secure-backup): The safest option is to leave backups off entirely (see Disable WhatsApp chat backups).
- [See how easy it is to find your home address on Google using just your name or phone number](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#quick-self-doxxing): The best thing you can do to get a sense of how important it is to lock down your public profile is to search for yourself.
- [Separate your home Wi-Fi networks - turn on a "guest network" for government devices](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#guest-wifi): This is a lower priority, but a good idea.
- [Set Signal disappearing messages to 5-15 minutes on all active threads during the protest/action](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#signal-short-disappearing-messages): Open Signal > Open each thread (one at a time) > Tap the name of the contact or group > Select Disappearing Messages > Set timer to 5-15 minutes.
- [Set up a PO box so you can stop giving out your home address](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#po-box): You may want to stop giving out your real street address when registering for services, getting packages delivered, etc.
- [Set up a separate Apple/Google account for the app store](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#setup-account): 1. Create the account For iPhone: Apple ID instructions For Android: Google instructions 2.
- [Set up the phone (or reset it)](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#setup): 1. Factory reset the device if it is used.
- [Set your phone passcode to 8 to 10 random digits](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#passcode): 1. Generate a random 8 to 10-digit passcode using this random passcode generator.
- [Share videos of ICE encounters carefully (don't immediately post them online)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#sharing-video): Videos of interactions with law enforcement are very important in our work.
- [Share videos/photos securely (via Signal, etc.)](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#share-securely): If you share sensitive videos/photos with trusted activists or lawyers, you want to do it using secure channels.
- [Stop WhatsApp from auto-saving photos and videos to your camera roll](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-disable-save-camera-roll): Photos and videos you receive on WhatsApp can end up in more places than you think.
- [Take scouting photos/videos directly in the Signal camera](https://activistchecklist.org/research/#signal-camera): Taking multiple photos at once: If you want to be able to take multiple photos at a time, go to the camera then press the Plus icon in the bottom left.
- [Tips to acquire and use a "true burner" phone](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#true-burner-steps): Warning: We share this "true burner" list primarily to give you a sense of the level of work required, not as a comprehensive, step-by-step guide.
- [Turn off link previews on Signal and WhatsApp](https://activistchecklist.org/spyware/#link-previews): When you include a link in a message, it often generates a "link preview." Even though you can't see it, your device is visiting that webpage to extract the co…
- [Turn your phone and laptop off and put away when you're done working (and before discussing dissent)](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#off-away): If your government phone/laptop is near you, you should treat the microphone as though it can hear your conversations.
- [Uninstall apps with sensitive data (email, docs, social media, etc) on phone and laptop](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#uninstall): The less you have on your device, the better.
- [Uninstall your password manager (remember to back up your login credentials!)](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#uninstall-password-manager): Make sure to uninstall from your phone and your laptop.
- [Update your emergency contact information with your place of work, organization, or community group](https://activistchecklist.org/emergency/#update-contact-info): If possible, pass along 1-2 emergency contacts to your comrades and/or workplace.
- [Use a faraday bag to block all trackable signals from your phone ](https://activistchecklist.org/protest/#faraday-bag): A faraday bag blocks all signals (GPS, cell, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc) coming in and out of your phone.
- [Use a password manager with unique passwords](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#password-manager): If you have the time, using a password manager is the best option because it will automatically help you generate strong, random, unique passwords for each sit…
- [Use a privacy-focused map/navigation app (Apple Maps or Magic Earth)](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#maps): Your location history reveals a lot about your interests, friends, and political activity.
- [Use a temporary number to register your Apple/Google account and Signal account](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#temp-number): With a data-only SIM, you will still need a phone number to set up your Apple/Google account and your Signal account.
- [Use a unique identity for every online account you make (name, email, username, phone number)](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#alias): Instead of signing up with your real name/email/phone/etc., you can start using random, unique identities for each account.
- [Use Organic Maps app for directions/navigation](https://activistchecklist.org/research/#organic-maps): 1. Use Organic Maps (iPhone, Android) for the most private mapping when you need to get directions to do scouting for an action.
- [Use privacy-focused browser for everyday browsing (instead of Chrome)](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#browser): We recommend Brave because it offers the most privacy without any additional configuration, which is our goal on this site.
- [Use Proton Docs and Mail for activism instead of Google Docs and Gmail](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#proton-docs-mail): Tech companies (like Google) often receive government demands to turn over all the account data for an activist.
- [Use Proton Docs instead of Google Docs](https://activistchecklist.org/federal/#proton-docs): Google's business model relies on tracking user activity - including what documents you open, share, and access.
- [Use Signal for encrypted texts and calls, especially your activism and political conversations](https://activistchecklist.org/essentials/#signal): Most normal texts and calls can be observed by your cell phone provider and the government.
- [Use Signal for secure group video/audio calls](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#group-calls): Signal calls (audio or video) use the same powerful encryption technology that we trust in Signal messenger.
- [Use Signal for secure texts/calls for action organizing](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#use-signal): 1. Install Signal (iPhone, Android) 2.
- [Use Signal to communicate (texts/calls) for protests/actions](https://activistchecklist.org/action/#signal-at-protests): 1. Install Signal on your phone 2.
- [Use small group chats with short disappearing message timers](https://activistchecklist.org/ice/#signal-small-groups): A 50-person chat means 50 phones that could be seized, lost, or breached—any one of them exposes the whole conversation.
- [Use Tor Browser to browse the web anonymously for sensitive research](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#tor-browser): It is very easy for government agents and corporations to track your online activity when you’re using a normal browser.
- [Use VeraCrypt to create secure folders on your computer](https://activistchecklist.org/organizing/#encrypted-files): 1. Install VeraCrypt 2.
- [Use WhatsApp Communities to keep group members' phone numbers private](https://activistchecklist.org/whatsapp/#whatsapp-communities): WhatsApp has a newer feature called Communities that lets you create a parent group containing multiple subgroups.
- [Verify safety numbers with important contacts](https://activistchecklist.org/signal/#signal-verification): Signal encrypts your messages so only you and the other person can read them.
- [Wear a mask when encountering cops or right-wing adversaries](https://activistchecklist.org/doxxing/#mask): Police and ICE use facial recognition against dissidents.
- [Write down contact information for anyone you need to be in touch with](https://activistchecklist.org/travel/#contacts): 1. Instead of syncing all your contacts from your main phone, write down on paper (or digitally) the most important contacts that you will need on your trip.
- [Write down or save your important phone numbers](https://activistchecklist.org/secondary/#save-numbers): We recommend having a way to call your 2-3 top emergency contacts.