Why Privacy Matters to Protestors

Privacy is essential for those who dissent. It allows individuals the space to think freely, associate with others and express their views without fear of reprisal. In society, dissent - especially through protest - is vital for progress, change, and holding power accountable.

Without privacy, protestors risk losing their voices, and their own safety. And we, as a society, risk losing a powerful tool for change, along with countless narratives that need to be heard.

The landscape of protest is shifting as surveillance technologies grow more sophisticated and widespread. Tools such as facial recognition cameras, sophisticated social media monitoring tools and IMSI catchers are increasingly deployed to track protestors, from organising events to monitoring attendance.

These technologies are often justified as a tool for public safety but, instead have created a significant power imbalance between individuals speaking up and state power.

Authorities and private actors can now monitor, track, and identify protestors with alarming ease. This capability doesn’t just threaten those attending protests. It creates an atmosphere of fear that ripples through entire communities.

Individuals may begin to self censor or avoid participation in protests altogether because they fear the consequences that come with being identified through these surveillance technologies.

This erosion of privacy inhibits the exercise of fundamental rights. Without the protection of privacy, protestors cannot safely challenge injustice, confront power structures or advocate for a better future.

Privacy matters.

PI Work: Free to Protest