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At LED Queens, we stand for resilience, visibility, and activism in the face of adversity. As our community faces increasing threats under the current political climate, it’s more important than ever to protect our data and privacy. This blog post is a call to action: let’s tighten our digital defenses, build safer spaces, and continue to thrive as a community. Below, we’ll explore best practices for secure messaging, browser safety, and social media privacy.
When it comes to messaging, Signal is our top recommendation for queer folks. Here’s why:
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Signal uses state-of-the-art encryption, ensuring that only you and the recipient can read your messages. Even Signal’s servers can’t access your conversations.
Self-Destructing Messages: Signal allows you to set messages to disappear after a set time, which is crucial for protecting sensitive conversations.
Open Source and Audited: Signal’s code is transparent and regularly audited by security experts, making it a trusted choice for activists and privacy advocates.
Meta Apps (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram): While WhatsApp uses Signal’s encryption protocol, it’s owned by Meta, which has a history of data collection and sharing with third parties. Facebook Messenger’s encryption is also opt-in, leaving many conversations vulnerable.
iMessage: While iMessage offers E2EE, it’s limited to Apple devices and stores backups in iCloud, which can be accessed by Apple or law enforcement with a warrant.
SMS: Text messages are not encrypted at all, making them highly vulnerable to interception and surveillance.
For those in high-risk situations (such as trans friends whose passports was confiscated and may be investigated), Signal’s self-destructing messages and robust encryption provide a lifeline of privacy and security.
Mozilla Firefox is our browser of choice for its commitment to privacy and ease of use. Here’s a quick checklist to secure your browsing experience:
Enable Enhanced Tracking Protection: Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Select “Strict” under Enhanced Tracking Protection.
Install Privacy Extensions: Add uBlock Origin (ad blocker) and HTTPS Everywhere (forces secure connections).
Disable Third-Party Cookies: In Settings, block third-party cookies to prevent tracking.
Use a Private Search Engine: Set your default search engine to DuckDuckGo or Startpage.
Enable DNS-over-HTTPS: In Settings → Network Settings, enable DNS-over-HTTPS to encrypt your DNS queries.
Log in to your Firefox account on both desktop and mobile to sync your preferences. This ensures your privacy settings carry over seamlessly across devices.
By following these steps, you’ll create a safer browsing environment that protects your data from prying eyes.
While social media can be a powerful tool for activism, it’s also a minefield of privacy risks. Here’s how to stay safe:
Review Privacy Settings: Regularly check and update your privacy settings on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Limit who can see your posts and personal information1.
Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all accounts to add an extra layer of security1.
Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Be cautious about posting personal details like your location, workplace, or travel plans, especially if you feel unsafe or have been targeted.
Block Harassers: Use keyword filters and blocklists to hide abusive comments and messages
Consider Alternative Platforms: Explore decentralized platforms like Mastodon, which offer more control over your data and fewer ads.
For those in high-risk situations, consider using pseudonyms and avoiding face photos to reduce the risk of doxxing or harassment.
At LED Queens, we believe that protecting our digital privacy is a form of activism. By adopting secure messaging apps like Signal, using privacy-focused browsers like Mozilla Firefox, and implementing social media safety measures, we can safeguard our community and continue to fight for progress.
For more resources, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).
Stay safe and keep it queer.
