OSW

SIGNATURE WORK
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2024

Security and Privacy During Protests: A Comparative Analysis of Security and Privacy Attitudes in The U.S.and France

Name

Hiba Laabadli

Major

Data Science

Class

2024

About

I am a Data Science Major interested in HCI and AI safety research, particularly in the context of the global south.

Signature Work Project Overview

This thesis investigates digital security and privacy concerns among protesters, focusing on Twitter conversations related to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in the U.S. and the Justice Pour Nahel protests in France. Analyzing 406 tweets, it presents a comparative study of the digital strategies protesters use to manage their privacy and security online. The research uncovers 37 different pieces of advice for digital security during the BLM protests and 7 during the Nahel Merzouk protests, pointing out the contrasting approaches between American and French protesters. In the U.S., discussions center on avoiding law enforcement surveillance, emphasizing encrypted communication. Conversely, in France, the emphasis is on evading government censorship and surveillance, with a significant focus on bypassing internet restrictions. This study contributes to our understanding of how protesters navigate digital threats in different socio-political contexts. It reveals a widespread concern for digital privacy and security among protesters, influenced by each country’s unique legal and cultural setting. The findings offer valuable perspectives for activists, policymakers, and tech developers on digital security practices in protest environments, highlighting the importance of protecting digital privacy in the age of surveillance.

Signature Work Presentation Video