Call for security in open speech!

On need for security towards free speech, right to express thoughts, opinions and ideas.

For long, expression of thoughts and ideas have been vital to shape the world we live in today. From the senate to our geo-political adversaries, ability to express among people has brought about a lot of progress.

Today, we live in a post apocalyptic era with a ton of informational data floating around us. There’s press, news, TVs and Radios that pledge to deliver true, honest and act as a reliable source of information on current affairs.

They are often found amidst warzones, political trysts and at places of natural and man made disasters among the millions of things they report on.

Journalists and reporters write to educate billions around the world on current ongoing affairs. They are sources of information that a mass majority of the public relies upon to understand the daily functioning of the system we envision ourselves being a part of.

It is truly a noble cause.
Information is food. They’re equivalently feeding the world.

And yet, why is that they face death threats ?
They are prime victims of targeted cyber attacks.
This is not right.

Rather than delve into the philosophy of why they are targeted, we must focus on how to protect them, on how to enable them to be able to provide us with reliable information.

It is our responsibility as global citizens to equip them with necessary security measures such that they can appropriately protect themselves from such targeted attacks.

Often, a large chunk of information they work with is subjected to red tapism by corporations and parties with different/ill interests.

As flag bearers of delivering information to the public, their communication should not be restricted or vulnerable as such.

There is a lot of talk around using encrypted messaging services and resources as such and many are trying to address this problem independently.

Signal is largely applauded for being an encrypted messaging service and is quite popular among many in the US and India. Signal uses your cellphone carrier network to transmit and receive encrypted texts.

I prefer Keybase. Keybase offers options for encrypted repositories, chats and acts as a socially and cryptographically verifiable Public Key repository.
IMO, It is much more capable, aesthetic and I like being able to exchange information via a secure channels on internet and not have to rely on Cell Network coverage.

In short, we need to establish standards of communication that is free, open source, well tested and safe for usage by the mass public and persons with a high chance of being targeted.

There’s a ton of useful information available at Surveillance Self security.

Additions to this article regarding security practices and other helpful information are welcome.

This was largely inspired by my experience at Nullcon Goa 2018.

References:
- Security compromises in Journalism by Michelle Shelton
- The Investigatory Powers Bill: Britain Wants You… To Hack Your Customers by Danny O'B
- Facebook safety for journalists
- CPJ security guide for Journalists
- UN plan of action for Safety of Journalists and issue of impunity
- Surveillance Self Security
- Security in a box
- Freedom of the press guides

“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”

— Benjamin Franklin, Silence Dogood, The Busy-Body, and Early Writings.