How not to get arrested during protests and how to protect yourself and those around you during protests.
In the past few hours, an account attributed to Anonymous, 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 mandatory hijab.
Considering Iran Gate’s concerns in acting independently for the people’s interests, we mention points that will help you in your peaceful protest. We believe in people’s rights to peaceful protest and claiming their rights.
Why you should not connect to this WiFi.
Every phone and communication system has a unique hardware identifier called a Mac Address. This information is available on phones, personal computers, and other devices to national organizations. Considering the registry scheme, if needed, the identity of the user can be revealed.
When you connect to WiFi, all your information is recorded on the intermediary device, leading to your identification. We have reported this issue 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.
- Given that jamming systems and radio disruptions or disconnections from the center are used, put your phone in Airplane Mode or turn it off. Turn it on only in emergencies.
- Avoid activating your phone at the protest site as much as possible because your IMEI code connects with nearby communication towers, and you will be listed among those present in that area.
Ways to avoid being identified in protests via cameras.
These days, artificial intelligence easily enables facial recognition, but identification is not only about the face. Height, clothing color, and shoes can also be tracked. Therefore, using a second set of clothes after leaving the protest site is essential.
- After leaving the protest site, when returning, change your outerwear in a secluded place, ensuring there are no cameras, not even building security cameras, and use the inner clothes.
- If possible, use a layer over your shoes that you can remove. These are used in hiking and nature trips, or carry a comfortable and light pair of shoes to change into.
- Wearing a mask alone is not enough. You also need to cover your eyebrows, forehead, and hair to make it almost impossible to recognize you. There are clips online teaching how to use a T-shirt as a full head cover.
- Considering how cameras work, it’s better if people are less crowded and scattered.
Ways to avoid arrest by security forces.
- Wear your backpack reversed and in front of your chest to protect yourself and prevent it from being pulled from behind.
- Secure the backpack tightly to your body to avoid hindering your movement.
- Due to the loss of body salts under pressure, carry a mix of water, lemon juice, salt, and sugar with you and drink it. The taste doesn’t matter; it helps you recover better.
- According to security protocols, there are infiltrators in every crowd to control the situation, arrest at the right time, or control and direct the crowd with aggressive slogans. 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 there for security activities.
- Do not allow any camera to film your face and remind them that clips must be blurred or pixelated.
- Your voice on film can identify you. The field shouts the points, so you don’t need to speak on film. If necessary, ensure the voice is edited to be deep and unrecognizable.
The nationwide protests began due to the killing of Mahsa Amini by the Tehran morality police. Iran Gate has covered this issue extensively from the start. You can access these topics by searching Mahsa Amini.
- The morality police’s crime under Raisi’s government.
- Morality police or the chariot of death.
