How to Avoid Getting Arrested in Protests: How to Protect Yourself and Those Around You During Protests
In recent hours, an account attributed to Anonymous, though not the main account, tweeted that access to WiFi in Imam Hossein Square has been opened for protesters against the killing of Mahsa Amini and compulsory hijab.
Considering Iran Gate’s concerns in independently acting for the people’s interests, we mention some points that will help you in your peaceful protest. We believe in the human rights to peaceful protest and achieving their rights.
Why You Shouldn’t Connect to This WiFi
Every phone and communication system has a unique hardware identifier known as a Mac Address. This information is available on phones, personal computers, and other devices to national organizations. With the registration plan, if needed, the identity of the user can be revealed.
When you connect to WiFi, all your information is recorded on the intermediary device, which will lead to your identification. We have reported this to the Anonymous group.
Ways to Avoid Being Identified in Protests via Mobile
- Do not use your main phone under any circumstances.
- There is no need for a quick internet connection; if you wish to send videos, you can do so from home with a secure VPN to ensure your safety.
- Considering the use of jamming systems and radio disturbances or central disconnection, put your phone in Airplane Mode or turn it off. Turn it on only when necessary in emergencies.
- Avoid activating your phone at the protest site as much as possible because your IMEI code will connect with nearby cell towers, placing you on the list of people present in that area.
Ways to Avoid Being Identified in Protests via Camera
Nowadays, artificial intelligence easily enables facial recognition, but identification is not limited to faces. Even height, clothing color, and shoes can be tracked. Therefore, it is essential to use a second set of clothes after leaving the protest site.
- After leaving the protest site, change your outer clothing in a quiet place without any cameras, even building security cameras, and use the clothes underneath.
- If possible, use a layer on your shoes that can be removed. These equipments are used in mountaineering and nature hiking, or carry a comfortable and lightweight pair of shoes for changing.
- Using a mask alone is not enough. You need to cover your eyebrows, forehead, and hair to make identification almost impossible. There are videos online that teach you how to use a T-shirt as a complete head covering.
- Considering how cameras work, the less distance between people and the less dispersion, the better.
Ways to Avoid Arrest by Security Forces
- Wear your backpack backwards on your chest so that it both protects you and cannot be pulled from behind.
- Secure the backpack tightly to your body so that it does not hinder your movement.
- Due to pressure from losing body salts, carry a mixture of water, lemon juice, salt, and sugar with you and drink it. The taste is not important; this helps you recover better.
- According to security protocols, individuals infiltrate every gathering to control the situation and at the right time arrest or guide the crowd with intense slogans to different paths. Do not separate from each other and clearly state your demands. Know that sometimes the most aggressive person in your group is not one of you and is present for their security activity.
- Do not allow any camera to film your face and remind them to blur or pixelate the videos.
- Your voice on film makes you identifiable. The field itself shouts the points; you don’t need to speak on film. If necessary, you must use audio editors to make the voice deep and unrecognizable.
The nationwide protests began due to the killing of Mahsa Amini by the Tehran moral security police. Iran Gate has covered this issue from the beginning. You can access these articles by searching for Mahsa Amini.
- The Crime of the Guidance Patrol in Raisi’s Government
- Guidance Patrol or Death Chariot