Come join us for an hour and a half at our pop-up digital security cafe ☕
We'll grab coffees (or juices, or beers) and help each other reduce the access Microsoft, Meta, Google and other Big Tech companies have to our lives <3
What is digital security?
Digital security is all the tools and habits we use to keep our personal information - e.g. location, passwords, messages, contacts, browsing habits, identity details, affiliations, activist activity - to ourselves.
Some of us only worry about this info getting into the hands of scammers. But, to be honest, scammers aren't the only worry. As hardware, apps and services from HP, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta and other Big Tech companies become a fixture in our lives, so does incessant and insidious state and corporate surveillance of our communications, movements and interests.
We think people advocating for a free Palestine, and other activists, should pay special attention to digital security. As Activist Checklist says, “every click, message, and location ping creates a digital trail that can be used against activists and organizers. Law enforcement regularly demands data from tech companies to identify and surveil people working for social change.” Having so much of our data available to Big Tech companies is unnecessary, but it could also end up putting ourselves, our friends, families and networks at increased risk.
So here's the plan…
We're looking for anyone - people involved in movements, and anyone else interested in shaking off Big Tech surveillance - to join us.
If 3+ of us sign up, we'll come together at the BFI Cafe to work through these Security Essentials steps written by Activist Checklist. Steps on that checklist include installing Signal, changing our browsers, changing our phone/laptop security settings, and many more. It's not necessary to do all the steps at once, or to do them in order, but the point is getting started and having a good time whilst we do them.
Come with any phones, laptops or tablets you want to work with (and their chargers!). If you want to get a drink or snack from the cafe, bring money. (If you can, try to charge your devices beforehand in case there aren't free plug points)
We'll follow roughly the plan of a ‘security party’: grab a drink and introduce ourselves, choose Security Essentials steps to work on in a relaxed atmosphere, and then chat and celebrate what we've done at the end 🎉
Venue location and accessibility
The BFI Cafe is one part of the big BFI Southbank building, with an external entrance. Find directions, photos and accessibility information for the BFI Cafe on AccessAble.
If you have any questions or needs around accessibility of the venue or activity, click ‘Contact Organiser’ to get in touch!