ACLU Privacy Expert Advises Protesters on Phone Security Amid Surveillance Concerns

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has released guidance through senior policy counsel Chad Marlow on minimizing digital footprints during protests. In videos posted across official ACLU channels including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Marlow recommends shutting off phones entirely when not in use or enabling Airplane Mode while disabling Bluetooth to prevent location sharing and data leakage. He also endorses encrypted apps like Signal for communications, noting they complicate government interception efforts. The advice aligns with longstanding ACLU resources on protest privacy, such as the ACLU of DC's guide recommending full-disk encryption, disabling biometrics, and Airplane Mode. Coverage in outlets like OKC Fox highlights backlash, framing the tips as helping protesters 'hide info' from authorities. The Post Millennial similarly reported the guidance in context of anti-ICE and anti-government actions. While critics tie it to specific political mobilizations like the 'No Kings' events, the recommendations echo standard digital security practices promoted by civil liberties groups for any protesters facing potential surveillance. This occurs against a backdrop of ongoing debates over tools like Section 702, where the ACLU has advocated for warrant requirements to protect protest-related communications. The episode underscores broader tensions: governments' expanding access to commercial data and device tracking versus First Amendment protections for assembly and speech.