How to Secure Your Phone (and Yourself) During Protests

Protests are a fundamental right in democratic societies, but in Kenya, as we’ve witnessed lately, exercising this right can put your life at risk. This should not be the case, but unfortunately, we’ve learned very painful and bloody lessons to ignore this fact.

We can write all the tech reviews and opinions we want, but if we’re not helping you, our dear readers, learn how technology can make your life not only simpler but SAFER, we have failed.

That said, we decided to create a detailed guide on how you can use the tech available to you to keep you (and your loved ones) safe during maandamano.

We’ve made it as simple as possible by creating bullet points instead of a whole essay (we’re very aware of the effect TikTok has had on our attention spans).

A lot of our focus will be on smartphones. Though they’re very powerful devices for documenting and organizing, they can also become a liability if you fail to secure them properly.

Therefore, without further ado, here’s a complete guide on how to secure your phone (and yourself) during protests while making your voice heard.

Before You Hit the Streets

Lock Down Your Device

Set Up Bulletproof Encryption

Enable full-disk encryption to secure your phone immediately before attending any protests
Create a strong password with 8-12 random characters that you can easily remember and type quickly
Skip the simple PINs. They’re really not as secure as you think they are

Ditch the Biometrics

Turn off fingerprint and face unlock features completely
Police can easily force you to unlock your phone using your face or finger (be it legally or illegally)
A password in your head is much harder to extract than a finger they can grab

Install Signal for Secure Communication

Download Signal for end-to-end encrypted messaging and calls
Set up disappearing messages so conversations don’t remain on your device
Create group chats with fellow protesters for your own safety. This will help you keep tabs on everyone attending the protests
Remember: Even secure apps can reveal your location. However, they make it more difficult for people who want to track you

Create Backup Plans for Your Phone

Protect the Data on Your Phone

Back up everything important before you leave home
Store backups in a secure location separate from your phone (like a flash drive) before attending protests
Enable Advanced Data Protection on iCloud if you’re an iPhone user
Choose zero-knowledge backup services for Android devices

Consider a Burner Phone Strategy

We know this sounds like something straight out of a movie, but if you can, buy a cheap feature phone (kabambe) – with cash if possible
Use a temporary number, which you can share with trusted contacts
Turn off the burner phone before heading home to avoid location correlation
If you can afford to, dispose of it safely away from your usual locations when done

Dress for Anonymity

Become Invisible in Plain Sight

Wear dark, monochrome clothes to blend into crowds
Cover distinctive tattoos, bright hair colors (ladies, please leave those colorful wigs at home), and any other unique features
Coordinate with your group of friends to dress in a similar fashion

When You’re on the Ground

Master How to Take Photos With Stealth

Document Without Compromising Security

Use your camera without unlocking your phone (add the camera feature to the lock screen)
Keep your phone locked and secure as much as possible during the protests
Consider bringing a separate digital camera for better photo quality (you can bring your DSLR if you feel confident about keeping it safe)

Protect Your Fellow Protesters

Blur or block out faces of other demonstrators in your photos
Hide identifying features like unique clothing or accessories
Use Signal’s built-in blurring tool or dedicated apps like Image Scrubber

Your photos could be used to identify and target others, so be responsible when sharing any form of media.

Strip Away Digital Breadcrumbs

Clean Your Photo Metadata

Remove location data, timestamps, and device information from images
Take screenshots of photos to strip metadata quickly
Send photos to yourself through Signal to automatically remove metadata
Never EVER post raw photos directly from your camera

Use Public and Private Transport in a Smart Way

Avoid the Digital Paper Trail

For days such as this, use cash for public transportation instead of linked payment cards like mobile money and cards
Consider walking (if you can) to avoid license plate readers
Be aware that your regular car’s plates can be easily tracked using automated systems
Plan alternative routes home to minimize exposure to surveillance

Control Any Chatter on Your Phone

Go For a Full Communication Blackout

Enable airplane mode, then manually turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Disable all location services completely
Turn off your phone entirely for maximum protection
Download offline maps before going for protests

If Things Go Wrong

Know Your Rights During Arrest

Clearly state that you do not consent to phone searches. Your phone is your property
Refuse to provide passwords or unlock your device
Understand that biometric locks can be forced; passwords cannot
Accept that your phone may be seized, but your consent won’t be

Damage Control After Your Devices Are Confiscated

Cut Off Access Immediately

Time is both your friend and foe in this situation
Change passwords for all accounts logged in on your device
Revoke device access from social media (very important) and other services
Monitor login logs for unauthorized access
Consult with a legal advisor before taking any action that might be seen as obstruction

Legal Recovery Options

Work with a legal advisor to file motions for the return of any devices seized during protests (this only works if you have information on who seized it)
Understand that devices with potential evidence for illegal activity may be held longer
Document everything for potential future legal proceedings

Secure Apps and Services To Go For

Essential Security Apps

Signal for messaging
Tor browser for anonymous web browsing
DuckDuckGo for searches that don’t track you or leave browser history
Avoid Chrome and other data-hungry browsers

Create separate accounts using anonymous email addresses
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts
Consider temporary accounts specifically for protests
NEVER link protest accounts to your real identity

Advanced Protection Strategies You Can Use

Use Guided Access or App Pinning

Lock your phone to a single app (consider camera, Signal, or any other app indicated above)
Prevent unauthorized access to other apps if you need to show your screen to someone
For iOS: Enable Guided Access in Accessibility settings
For Android: Use App Pinning in Security settings

VPNs Are Better Than No VPNs

Choose a paid VPN service over a free one
Encrypt all your internet traffic
Hide your real IP address and location
Set it up before you need it, not during the protests

The Nuclear Option (Or What We Like to Call, “The Best Option”)

Sometimes the best digital security is no digital device at all. Even Snowden can attest to this.

Consider leaving your phone at home entirely if:

The protests have a chance of being infiltrated by rogue elements (they can undermine all efforts to secure your phone)
You’re concerned about being specifically targeted
The risk of losing your devices is high (and it’s not a price you’re willing to pay)

Coordinate with friends beforehand about where to meet and timing if you’re going phone-free.

Our Final Word to You

Please remember that security isn’t about making the perfect safeguards. It’s more about making yourself a harder target than the person next to you. Every precaution you take raises the bar for anyone trying to access your information and data or track your activities.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that these tools and techniques are only as good as your commitment to using them consistently. Practice how to do these steps before you need them, stay informed about new threats and protections, and always prioritize the safety of yourself and fellow protesters.

Your right to protest is fundamental, but being safe while doing so requires preparation, vigilance, and making the right decisions. We have done our part to inform. Now, it’s up to you!