The US is approaching a pivotal presidential election this November and, like many countries around the world, there is a growing fascist movement led by one of the candidates. No electoral outcome will stop the fascist movement completely, but the direction and strategy of those of us fighting fascism will need to adapt depending on who wins.

We know from experience in 2016 that in times of crisis, organizers’ interest in and anxiety around digital security will spike. We will get urgent questions and requests for support and advice. How should we prepare?

May First Movement Technology and the Progressive Technology Project gathered an experienced and knowledgeable group of people together on September 26, 2024 to discuss movement technology needs – including digital security – after the election.

Breakout Group Notes and Report backs

What are the general messages and general approaches technologists should take post-election to support movements seeking better digital security?

Below are notes compiled from all break out groups.

Questions

  • How do we apporach security from an organized and focused standpoint, and not run scared from everyone?
  • How do we stay grounded on what are the most realistic attacks for our organizations?
  • Do we start with low hanging fruit or the most pressing security vulnerabilities?

General Suggestions and things to keep in mind

  • Start these conversations now so folks who are not familiar with digital security can learn ahead of any crisis
  • While things are constantly changing, new threats are typically built on the basics - understanding existing problems help us understand how they evolve. For example: phishing attacks (when someone sends you an email asking for information as if they are someone close to you).
  • When training, be sure to consider generational gaps in knowledge and ability to detect scams
  • Many groups find addressing these concerns overwhelming, keep in mind people’s cognitive load, especially during stressful times.
  • You don’t have to implement everything today, do it slowly, as a recurring task, like you are building your security muscles.
  • Keep digital security in the frame of organizing
  • Popularize security messaging in a way that is motivating not paralyizing
  • Balance convenience: more secure is generally less convenient
  • Consider everyone: security is a group project, not an individual project.
  • Messaging: let users know that they are not alone, especially in remote spaces
  • How do you stay current? Ensure one or more people are defined to manage the security of your organization.
  • Try to reduce your digital movement footprint, while still being accessible
  • Both onboard and offboard users and volunteers (remove digital access when people leave)
  • With AI people’s voices and appearances can be faked, and also you can more easily be recognized than before, even when masked/hooded

Specific recommendations

What we need

  • We should create slides on the why, concrete/clear/accessible info; why specific tools?
  • Need UI/interfaces on security tools that are more joyful, build in joy for this long-term project work

For more resources, see the excellent Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Surveillance Self-Defense site.