ADC issues recommendations for attending a protest

The Association for Civil Rights released its first Protest Guide, a series of recommendations aimed at raising awareness among the population of the technological devices that security forces could use to identify and monitor people at a protest. 

The document arises from ADC’s thorough research on the purchase and deployment of surveillance technologies in Argentina, where the acquisition of security cameras, facial recognition, forensic extraction tools for electronic devices, drones and cyber patrolling software has been steadily increasing. The trend poses a serious risk to human rights, for which the guide aims to provide information to all citizens on how they can protect themselves in protest marches or demonstrations.

“The Protest Guide is a manual that allows citizens to know how surveillance technologies work in greater detail, while offering advice on how to avoid being tracked by these techniques,” said Alejo Kiguel, ADC researcher, and added: “In order to demand that government make proper use of them, we must be aware of the risks that these technologies entail for the exercise of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, association and the right to protest.”

The guide comprises two parts: one on the surveillance technology included in everyday gadgets such as cell phones and tablets, while the other looks into biometric software which recognizes faces and bodies. It is a detailed account on how each of these technologies work, how security forces could use them and what precautions a person can take to protect themselves from these types of surveillance.