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**Privacy Guides' Activism section offers a new way to empower the digital rights community.**
Privacy Guides' Activism section offers a new way to empower the digital rights community.
This section contains information to help you become a better defender of privacy rights, both for individuals and organizations.
This section contains **information to help you become a better defender of privacy rights**, both for individuals and organizations.
## We must fight for privacy rights collectively
@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Fighting to improve our privacy cannot *only* be a matter of individual protecti
When [regulations keep attacking](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/09/08/chat-control-must-be-stopped/) the tools and services we rely on to protect our personal information, when corporations [exploit our data](../basics/common-threats.md/#surveillance-as-a-business-model) more aggressively every day, and when platforms exponentially [erode online pseudonymity](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/10/15/real-name-policies/), we must broaden our reach to fight for our rights.
For privacy to become a valued and respected human right, **we must work together to defend privacy rights as a community**.
==For privacy to become a valued and respected human right, we must work together== to defend privacy rights as a community.
This section will progressively grow with more tools to support the community in its privacy advocacy and activism effort. The Privacy Activist Toolbox is the first part of this new development.

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Kindness and patience are essential qualities for privacy advocates. To grow our movement, we must meet people from a place of camaraderie. People don't change their mind by being berated. However, this isn't true for institutions.
Here's how you can integrate kindness in your work, while being relentless with institutions:
Here's how you can **integrate kindness in your work**, while being relentless with institutions:
## Use kindness and patience while working with individuals
Whenever you talk with individuals in your privacy work, make sure to stay kind and calm when communicating with them.
Whenever you talk with individuals in your privacy work, make sure to **stay kind and calm** when communicating with them.
Perhaps you are posting on social media, replying to posts or emails, answering questions after a talk, or writing advices on the best privacy tools to use. No matter the context, when communicating with individuals, **kindness is your greatest asset** to persuade and bring more people to the movement.
Perhaps you are posting on social media, replying to posts or emails, answering questions after a talk, or writing advices on the best privacy tools to use. No matter the context, when communicating with individuals, ==kindness is your greatest asset== to persuade and bring more people to the movement.
Sadly, it's not rare to see replies to beginners' posts by more advanced peers online that are humiliating and berating their uninformed or misinformed questions. People don't learn and don't change their mind by being yelled at. Aggression isn't an effective way to communicate.
@ -20,25 +20,25 @@ Furthermore, aggression is a horrible strategy to bring more people to your caus
Instead, be gentle and [develop your empathy skills](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-empathy-2795562). Write from a place of compassion, to gradually attract more and more [new people](tip-welcome-beginners.md) to the cause.
**Stay patient and compassionate**, even when people ask questions that might sound obvious to you. Be patient when people don't understand the first time you explain something. Happily clarify with simpler terms when needed, without being condescending.
Stay patient and compassionate, even when people ask questions that might sound obvious to you. Be patient when people don't understand the first time you explain something. Happily clarify with simpler terms when needed, without being condescending.
Accept that some people might not be able to adopt all of your suggestions at once. It's okay, let them grow at their own pace.
Give time for ideas to brew and change minds. **Plant seeds for change, and gently wait for growth.**
Give time for ideas to brew and change minds. Plant seeds for change, and gently wait for growth.
## Be relentless with corporations, governments, and public institutions
While patience and kindness are crucial to bring your message the right way to individuals, institutions do not function the same way.
Whether you are trying to report a privacy-abusive corporate practice, push back against an invasive regulation proposal, or raise awareness about a public institution's privacy malpractices, **you must be firm, loud, and determined**.
Whether you are trying to report a privacy-abusive corporate practice, push back against an invasive regulation proposal, or raise awareness about a public institution's privacy malpractices, you must be firm, loud, and determined.
Respect and politeness are vital here as well. Violence or threat to representatives of these institutions would only be detrimental to your goals. However, patience shouldn't be extended to privacy-abusive organizations that aren't demonstrating any realistic intentions to improve.
To bring significant changes to institutions and corporations, your message must be loud and clear.
==To bring significant changes to institutions and corporations, your message must be loud and clear.==
You should try to bring as many people and allied organizations to your cause, and be as loud as possible in the media. Your campaign must be powerful enough to grab media's attention, and to send a firm message that **the people want change and will not back down**.
You should try to bring as many people and allied organizations to your cause, and be as loud as possible in the media. Your campaign must be powerful enough to grab media's attention, and to send a firm message that the people want change and will not back down.
Each time your message is ignored, and the abuse continues, *shout louder* (metaphorically). Bring even *more* people to the cause, until the popular discontent is so strong that they have no choice but to stop the abuse.
Each time your message is ignored, and the abuse continues, **shout louder** (metaphorically). Bring even *more* people to the cause, until the popular discontent is so strong that they have no choice but to stop the abuse.
## More resources

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Accessibility is indispensable to inclusivity, and should always be a priority in our work. To make our privacy communities welcoming to all, accessibility cannot be an afterthought. We must integrate it in our practice from the start. This means making sure the languages, visuals, tools, and venues we use are accessible to as many people as possible.
**Accessibility** is indispensable to inclusivity, and should always be a priority in our work. To make our privacy communities welcoming to all, accessibility cannot be an afterthought. We must integrate it in our practice from the start. This means making sure the languages, visuals, tools, and venues we use are accessible to as many people as possible.
Here's what you can do to improve accessibility for your privacy-related content and communities:
## Accessibility for all, in all the ways
For many people who don't need any specific accommodations, accessibility is often only thought about in terms of solutions to *mobility* impairments, such as for people requiring the use of a wheelchair. While this is indeed and important factor to consider, there are many other types of disabilities and accommodations we should be mindful of in our privacy work.
For many people who don't need any specific accommodations, accessibility is often only thought about in terms of solutions to *mobility* impairments, such as for people requiring the use of a wheelchair.
Considering how each part of our work could be accessed more easily by everyone is essential to grow our movement, and to diversify our privacy communities. Ethically, it's also just the right thing to do, and should be the norm everywhere.
While this is indeed and important factor to consider, there are many other types of disabilities and accommodations we should be mindful of in our privacy work.
Considering how each part of our work could be accessed more easily by everyone is essential to grow our movement, and to diversify our privacy communities.
Ethically, it's also just the right thing to do, and should be the norm everywhere.
### Visual, auditory, and other sensorial accessibility
@ -42,7 +46,7 @@ If you develop a website in your privacy work, make sure to follow the internati
Whether you write a post, an article, or a whole website in English, keep in mind that your audience is likely global.
People from all around the world will be able to read or watch your English content, many who don't speak English as their first language. Don't assume that your audience is only coming from your own country or region. This is a good thing by the way. **The battle for privacy rights must be global now**.
People from all around the world will be able to read or watch your English content, many who don't speak English as their first language. Don't assume that your audience is only coming from your own country or region. This is a good thing, by the way! ==The battle for privacy rights must be global now.==
- [x] Be careful not to use too many references that are unique to your own country or region. If you do, make sure to explain what it is for people from other regions.

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In your privacy advocacy, it's essential to use and recommend tools that are reliable to protect privacy. For this, you need to investigate and remain highly skeptical of any dangerous or unproven marketing claims.
In your privacy advocacy, it's essential to use and recommend tools that are reliable to protect privacy. For this, you need to **investigate and remain highly skeptical** of any dangerous or unproven marketing claims.
Here's how to evaluate privacy claims, and recommend tools that are trustworthy:

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Everyone has different needs, and everyone faces different dangers when their personal data gets exposed. To give actionable privacy advices and recommendations, it's essential to keep in mind everyone's situation. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to data privacy.
Everyone has different needs, and everyone faces different dangers when their personal data gets exposed. To give actionable privacy advices and recommendations, it's essential to **keep in mind everyone's situation**. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to data privacy.
Here's how you can get better at evaluating each person's unique [*threat model*](../../basics/threat-modeling.md):

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When we think about our privacy, we often focus on the technical tools we can use to protect it. While this is indeed an important part of it, it's crucial not to lose sight of how regulations and invasive practices can impact us collectively.
Here's what to keep in mind to expand your perspective on data privacy beyond individual solutions:
Here's what to keep in mind to **expand your perspective on data privacy** beyond individual solutions:
## The danger of focusing only on individual solutions
@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ While it might feel easier to focus on our own needs, nobody lives in a vacuum.
Moreover, it's important to consider others in different situations. For example, even if everyone who has access to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service can stay protected from an issue, what about all the others? It's neither practical nor realistic to expect that *everyone* would be able to circumvent a problem by using a VPN.
While in some cases we might want to discuss immediate individual solutions in order to mitigate some harm, **we must also attack the root cause of the problem**.
While in some cases we might want to discuss immediate individual solutions in order to mitigate some harm, we must also attack the root cause of the problem.
If we only think of individual solutions when a corporation exploits our data, or a government adopts a privacy-invasive regulation, **we risk letting our guard down** by giving up the fight early. This makes the problem harder to fight later on, and results in more harm to our communities, and eventually to ourselves as well.
If we only think of individual solutions when a corporation exploits our data, or a government adopts a privacy-invasive regulation, we risk letting our guard down by giving up the fight early. This makes the problem harder to fight later on, and results in more harm to our communities, and eventually to ourselves as well.
## Things to keep in mind when a privacy issue arises
@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ Here are a few questions you can ask yourself whenever a new privacy issue arise
- [ ] What will be the impact for the people who *can* protect themselves individually?
- [ ] Are there other solutions that could be adopted to fight this issue for everyone at once, without relying on individual harm mitigations.
- [ ] Are there other solutions that could be adopted to fight this issue for *everyone* at once, without relying on *individual* harm mitigations.
- [ ] How can we fight against this issue in a way that will benefit *everyone impacted*, including the people who aren't even aware of the issue?
- [ ] How can we fight against this issue in a way that will benefit *everyone* impacted, including the people who aren't even aware of the issue?
## More resources

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Once you have the knowledge, motivation, and energy, it's time to act! Perhaps you've read all the tips here, or read all of Privacy Guides' [Knowledge Base](../../basics/why-privacy-matters.md) already! But you don't need to know that much about privacy to start contributing.
Once you have the knowledge, motivation, and energy, **it's time to act**! Perhaps you've read all the tips here, or read all of Privacy Guides' [Knowledge Base](../../basics/why-privacy-matters.md) already! But you don't need to know that much about privacy to start contributing.
The most important part is that you care about privacy rights, and want to be part of the movement to defend them.
@ -57,23 +57,23 @@ Here are some ideas of things you can do to become a privacy activist in your co
<div class="emoji-list-a" markdown>
- [Spread the words of your allies.](tip-lift-your-allies-up.md) Repost social media campaigns from digital rights organizations you like, and write about it on your own platforms. Encourage people to participate if there is a call to action.
- [**Spread** the words of your allies.](tip-lift-your-allies-up.md) Repost social media campaigns from digital rights organizations you like, and write about it on your own platforms. Encourage people to participate if there is a call to action.
- Write about the privacy issues you care about. Inform the public with accurate information and effective ways of action to push back against invasive technologies and legislations. This can be through your social networks, personal blog, or even a book!
- **Write** about the privacy issues you care about. Inform the public with accurate information and effective ways of action to push back against invasive technologies and legislations. This can be through your social networks, personal blog, or even a book!
- [Participate](tip-small-actions-matter.md) in the actions organized by others. Reply positively to social media posts related to privacy rights, repost the content of your allies, sign petitions, report violations, join an online forum, and contact your representatives about privacy rights in your region of the world.
- [**Participate**](tip-small-actions-matter.md) in the actions organized by others. Reply positively to social media posts related to privacy rights, repost the content of your allies, sign petitions, report violations, join an online forum, and contact your representatives about privacy rights in your region of the world.
- [Refuse](tip-refuse-to-participate.md) to participate in privacy-invasive requests, and refuse to use privacy-invasive technologies as much as doable for your situation. Sometimes doing nothing can be a powerful action. Try to prioritize your privacy principles over [convenience](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/06/07/selling-surveillance-as-convenience/), and report on your refusal experiences on social networks and with your local communities.
- [**Refuse**](tip-refuse-to-participate.md) to participate in privacy-invasive requests, and refuse to use privacy-invasive technologies as much as doable for your situation. Sometimes doing nothing can be a powerful action. Try to prioritize your privacy principles over [convenience](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/06/07/selling-surveillance-as-convenience/), and report on your refusal experiences on social networks and with your local communities.
- [Join or build communities](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/) with people sharing your privacy values. Be a positive contributor and lift your allies up. [Support your privacy comrades](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md) and [ask for help](tip-take-time-to-rest.md) when you need it yourself. Look for nonprofit organizations [seeking volunteers](../../about/contributors.md).
- [**Join or build** communities](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/) with people sharing your privacy values. Be a positive contributor and lift your allies up. [Support your privacy comrades](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md) and [ask for help](tip-take-time-to-rest.md) when you need it yourself. Look for nonprofit organizations [seeking volunteers](../../about/contributors.md).
- [Contribute financially](../../about/donate.md) if you can. If you cannot afford to participate in time, consider donating money. There are many digital rights nonprofit organizations that could do *so much more* if only they had more funding. Offering financial support when you can is a meaningful way to contribute to the privacy rights movement.
- [**Contribute** financially](../../about/donate.md) if you can. If you cannot afford to participate in time, consider donating money. There are many digital rights nonprofit organizations that could do *so much more* if only they had more funding. Offering financial support when you can is a meaningful way to contribute to the privacy rights movement.
- Go to local meetups related to privacy and digital rights. Meet people who share your values in-person, and grow your network to find allies in your area.
- **Go** to local meetups related to privacy and digital rights. Meet people who share your values in-person, and grow your network to find allies in your area.
- Take part in digital rights protests that support causes and raise awareness on privacy issues you care about. Actively look online for events to join in your local privacy rights community.
- **Take part** in digital rights protests that support causes and raise awareness on privacy issues you care about. Actively look online for events to join in your local privacy rights community.
- Invite others to join you in the movement to defend privacy rights!
- **Invite** others to join you in the movement to defend privacy rights!
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To succeed in our battle, we must support each other. A good way to accomplish this is to never forget to give credit where credit is due. When another advocate or organization says something you agree with, boost them up, spread their reach, and thank them publicly.
To succeed in our battle, we must **support each other**. A good way to accomplish this is to never forget to give credit where credit is due. When another advocate or organization says something you agree with, boost them up, spread their reach, and thank them publicly.
Here are a few ways you can help your allies feel seen and valued:
## Why crediting people and organization is important
Giving credit to the right person or organization isn't only the ethical thing to do, it's also a way to build alliances, to bring more people to the cause, and to retain the allies you already have.
Giving credit to the right person or organization isn't only the ethical thing to do, it's also a way to **build alliances**, to bring more people to the cause, and to retain the allies you already have.
When people feel valued, they are usually inclined to work harder. People are also more likely to stick around places where they feel seen and appreciated. This is incredibly important for our movement.
When giving credit to organizations, you are also making a whole team feel valued. **Organizations are made of people.** Caring about the people who work hard at your allied organizations is fundamental to build our movement.
When giving credit to organizations, you are also making a whole team feel valued. Organizations are made of people. ==Caring about the people who work hard at your allied organizations is fundamental== to build our movement.
## Ways to credit your allies in your advocacy work
@ -30,19 +30,19 @@ When giving credit to organizations, you are also making a whole team feel value
<div class="emoji-list-a" markdown>
- Quote your allies' work in your own content and material. Make sure to always credit their name and link to their external resources when you do.
- **Quote** your allies' work in your own content and material. Make sure to always credit their name and link to their external resources when you do.
- Link to your allies' resources on your own platforms. Give them credit for their work, and encourage your own audience to consult your allies' material.
- **Link** to your allies' resources on your own platforms. Give them credit for their work, and encourage your own audience to consult your allies' material.
- Support your allies publicly on social media. Repost their content to increase their reach. Post about them while tagging them, to encourage your circle to follow them as well. Reply to their posts thanking them for their hard work for the cause.
- **Support** your allies publicly on social media. Repost their content to increase their reach. Post about them while tagging them, to encourage your circle to follow them as well. Reply to their posts thanking them for their hard work for the cause.
- Reach out to offer your help on their projects, whenever you have the resources to do so.
- **Reach out** to offer your help on their projects, whenever you have the resources to do so.
- When working with a group, make sure that each contributor is publicly thanked for their work, whether it's paid or volunteer work. Make the members of your group feel recognized and valued individually.
- When working with a group, make sure that each contributor is publicly **thanked** for their work, whether it's paid or volunteer work. Make the members of your group feel recognized and valued individually.
- Depending on the platforms you use, make sure to attribute the work of each contributor to the name they have agreed to share publicly. Ask first how they prefer to be credited, but do not forget to credit them.
- Depending on the platforms you use, make sure to **attribute** the work of each contributor to the name they have agreed to share publicly. Ask first how they prefer to be credited, but do not forget to credit them.
- When there are opportunities to nominate your allies for a reward, make sure to add your vote to support them.
- When there are opportunities to **nominate** your allies for a reward, make sure to add your vote to support them.
</div>

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Commercial social media platforms represent one of the biggest source of data exploitation. Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and X all exploit their users' data to generate billions in profit every year. By staying active on these platforms, we continue to feed the beast and indirectly support this invasion of privacy rights.
Here's how you can minimize your presence on commercial social media, and slowly build more autonomous communities:
Here's how you can **minimize your presence on commercial social media**, and slowly build more autonomous communities:
## Why it's important to move away
@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ Moving away from large commercial platforms can be a complex process, but it's a
[Reducing our dependence on Big Tech](tip-migrate-outside-the-surveillance-ecosystem.md), including for social media platforms, is essential in our fight for better privacy rights.
Not only this allows us to stop feeding a surveillance machine that grows increasingly hungrier for users' data every month, but it gives us an opportunity to build much more resilient communities, and **support platforms that aren't devouring users' privacy**.
Not only this allows us to stop feeding a surveillance machine that grows increasingly hungrier for users' data every month, but it gives us an opportunity to build much more resilient communities, and support platforms that aren't devouring users' privacy.
Many are reluctant to quit commercial social media, despite the many issues that have only become worse in the past few years. It's not always easy to leave a place that feels like home and rebuild elsewhere. However, **when the house is on fire, it's time to leave**.
Many are reluctant to quit commercial social media, despite the many issues that have only become worse in the past few years. It's not always easy to leave a place that feels like home and rebuild elsewhere. However, ==when the house is on fire, it's time to leave.==
The more we produce content, and the more we engage with our community on these privacy-invasive platforms, the more we contribute to sustain these predatory corporations thriving on making money at the expense of our followers' data.
@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ It's a responsibility for any privacy advocates to stay true to their values, an
Here are a few things you can start doing to reduce your contribution to Big Tech social media. This is presented on an escalating scale. Go as far as realistically possible for your situation:
1. Create an account that mirrors your regular posts on a [**privacy-respectful platform**](#embracing-privacy-respectful-alternatives), and announce it prominently on your commercial social media accounts.
1. Create an account that mirrors your regular posts on a [privacy-respectful platform](#embracing-privacy-respectful-alternatives), and announce it prominently on your commercial social media accounts.
2. Regularly post on your commercial social media that you don't support this platform and encourage your followers to meet you on your new privacy-respectful social network instead.
@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ Perhaps you are already convinced to leave exploitive social media platforms for
One such network is the [**Fediverse**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fediverse), a decentralized collection of interconnected applications and servers that can communicate with each other.
The Fediverse was built from a desire for social connection, and not from a greed to make profits. **This is a fundamental difference that leads to substantial benefits.** Most servers that are part of the Fediverse network are hosted by volunteers who simply want to support their communities.
The Fediverse was built from a desire for social connection, and not from a greed to make profits. ==This is a fundamental difference that leads to substantial benefits.== Most servers that are part of the Fediverse network are hosted by volunteers who simply want to support their communities.
There are many applications that can connect to the Fediverse, the most famous probably being the microblogging platform [**Mastodon**](https://joinmastodon.org/). But you could also choose to join an app more similar to Instagram with [**Pixelfed**](https://pixelfed.org/), or more similar to YouTube with [**PeerTube**](https://joinpeertube.org/). They all connect together!
There are many applications that can connect to the Fediverse, the most famous probably being the microblogging platform [Mastodon](https://joinmastodon.org/). But you could also choose to join an app more similar to Instagram with [Pixelfed](https://pixelfed.org/), or more similar to YouTube with [PeerTube](https://joinpeertube.org/). They all connect together!
Here are some resources to help you learn more about this social network, and its many applications:
@ -84,13 +84,13 @@ If you decide to make the Fediverse-connected social network Mastodon your new h
You can also simply choose the Mastodon organization's main server [mastodon.social](https://mastodon.social/about), if you don't feel like thinking about this too much. Mastodon has a feature allowing to migrate your account from one server to another, so this isn't a permanent decision. You can always move later if you choose to (you can't move your content for now, but you can move your followers).
That being said, if you're up for a more resilient solution, one option that is truly empowering is to **host your own Mastodon server** (or many other applications that are part of the Fediverse family).
That being said, if you're up for a more resilient solution, one option that is truly empowering is to host your own Mastodon server (or many other applications that are part of the Fediverse family).
Self-hosting your Mastodon server of course requires more time and resources. But, if you can afford it, hosting your own server will allow you to be much more independent and genuinely own your own data.
This is the best way to build a community that is truly resilient, and billionaire-resistant.
**Wikimedia has its own Mastodon instance!**
### Wikimedia has its own Mastodon instance!
As an example of an organization self-hosting its Mastodon account, the [Wikimedia Foundation](https://wikimediafoundation.org/) (the nonprofit organization hosting Wikipedia) has its [own](https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia.Social) Mastodon server at [wikimedia.social](https://wikimedia.social/about).
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ You can also see this page is visible to anyone, regardless of if they have a Ma
Additionally, this allows you to keep full control over your profile page, regardless of social media ownership, or censorship. This is how you can build a truly resilient community for your privacy advocacy work.
**Privacy Guides already do this of course!** You can [follow Privacy Guides](https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides) from our own self-hosted Mastodon server 💛
Privacy Guides does this too, of course! You can [follow Privacy Guides](https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides) from our own self-hosted Mastodon server 💛
## More resources

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Privacy isn't just about the tools. It also isn't just about the laws. And it isn't just about the practices either. It's about all of that. To move our society in a place where everyone benefits from privacy by default, we must consider technologies, laws, and culture altogether.
Here's how to get better at considering the whole landscape:
Here's how to get better at **considering the whole landscape**:
## The technology

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Inclusivity is not only the right thing to do, it's also essential to grow our movement. If we want privacy rights to succeed, it's imperative that we build communities where *everyone* feels safe and welcomed, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
**Inclusivity** is not only the right thing to do, it's also essential to grow our movement. If we want privacy rights to succeed, it's imperative that we build communities where *everyone* feels safe and welcomed, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
Here's how you can keep your communications and communities inclusive:
## Why you need communities that are diverse and inclusive
In privacy, diversity is an incredible strength, a necessity even. When people with different lived experiences, identities, localities, specialties, and mentalities join our group, the whole collectivity benefits from a broader perspective.
In privacy, **diversity** is an incredible strength, a necessity even. When people with different lived experiences, identities, localities, specialties, and mentalities join our group, the whole collectivity benefits from a broader perspective.
Having a broad perspective is essential to understand the scope and impact of privacy issues, as well as the actionable solutions for diverse situations.
When people with different lived experiences and identities join our group, it expands our understanding of numerous [threat models](../../basics/threat-modeling.md), and allows us to adapt our message in ways that will be more inclusive. When people from different localities join our group, this helps us to regionalize our content and communication to make it accessible to people all around the world, and expand our network. And when people with different mentalities join our group, it helps us to reach out to people with different ways of thinking more easily.
The more diverse is a team, the more resources it has to understand and support a diverse population of people interested (or potentially interested) in privacy rights.
==The more diverse is a team, the more resources it has to understand and support a diverse population of people== interested (or potentially interested) in privacy rights.
**Inclusivity allows diversity to thrive, and diversity will make it easier for your group to be inclusive.**
Inclusivity allows diversity to thrive, and diversity will make it easier for your group to be inclusive.
Of course, for all those benefits to happen, it's crucial that [group leaders](tip-level-up-assemble-and-organize.md) be good listeners, and actively nurture diversity and inclusivity.
## Beware of gatekeeping
Gatekeeping is sadly a common social phenomenon in niche communities, moreover in tech communities. Gatekeeping happens when a group tend to restrict who can join it, or who gets opportunities within it. It can be done maliciously to exclude marginalized people, or inadvertently when it emerges from unconscious biases.
**Gatekeeping** is sadly a common social phenomenon in niche communities, moreover in tech communities. Gatekeeping happens when a group tend to restrict who can join it, or who gets opportunities within it. It can be done maliciously to exclude marginalized people, or inadvertently when it emerges from unconscious biases.
Many of us have had experiences where we felt excluded from other social groups where our privacy values weren't understood. Once we finally find a group that makes us feel like we belong, it's easy to quickly occupy the whole space and forget that newcomers might feel pushed aside if we do not actively try to include them.

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icon: fontawesome/solid/fist-raised
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---
If you've been a privacy advocate for a while, maybe it's time to level up and grow as a leader in your community.
If you've been a privacy advocate for a while, maybe it's time to level up and **grow as a leader** in your community.
Becoming a leader can mean many things. Maybe for you it's starting a local meetup, preparing educational workshops, organizing an event or protest, initiating online projects with a team, or even starting your own organization!
Becoming a leader can mean many things. Maybe for you, it's starting a local meetup, preparing educational workshops, organizing an event or protest, initiating online projects with a team, or even starting your own organization!
Here's what you can do to become a *good* leader in the privacy rights movement:
@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ There are many styles and scales of leadership. Becoming a leader can start smal
Regardless of the scale, it's important to become a *good* leader to lift your community up, which will benefit the whole movement.
Becoming a positive leader in your community doesn't mean running everything, and it doesn't mean being the only one taking decisions while telling others what to do either. First and foremost, it means **supporting and inspiring people to become the best privacy advocates they can be**.
Becoming a positive leader in your community doesn't mean running everything, and it doesn't mean being the only one taking decisions while telling others what to do either. First and foremost, ==it means supporting and inspiring people== to become the best privacy advocates they can be.
## Supporting others

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@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ description: The battle for privacy rights is difficult, and its defenders are s
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---
At times, it might feel like the privacy community is niche and isolated. The battle for privacy rights is difficult, and its defenders are scattered and spread out all around the world. This is why it's essential that we support and uplift each other, every time we can.
At times, it might feel like the privacy community is niche and isolated. The battle for privacy rights is difficult, and its defenders are scattered and spread out all around the world. This is why it's essential that we **support and uplift each other**, every time we can.
Here's how you can lift your allies up, and help to grow the movement:
@ -18,11 +18,11 @@ It's easy to get lost in our own niche advocacy, and lose track of what others i
- [x] Even if you are also working on a similar project, lift them up with you!
It doesn't matter if you are working on something comparable yourself, or if perhaps you would word their work slightly differently. As long as the message is aligned with your mission and values, **spread the words of your allies loud and far!**
It doesn't matter if you are working on something comparable yourself, or if perhaps you would word their work slightly differently. As long as the message is aligned with your mission and values, spread the words of your allies loud and far!
By lifting each other up, we will broaden the reach of the message we share, and ultimately this serves our goals and our community too.
In privacy advocacy, we truly need to adopt the mindset: **The more the merrier.**
In privacy advocacy, we truly need to adopt the mindset: ==The more, the merrier.==
## Concrete ways to support and lift your allies up

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@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ description: If you are developing a privacy-focused application or website, it'
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---
If you are developing a privacy-focused application or website, it's important that you do not neglect the design aspect of it. This is a common mistake that can have a significant negative impact on adoption by a general audience. Make it cute!
If you are developing a privacy-focused application or website, it's important that you **do not neglect the design** aspect of it. This is a common mistake that can have a significant negative impact on adoption by a general audience. Make it cute!
Here's why you should make your design appealing and accessible to everyone:
@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ Here's why you should make your design appealing and accessible to everyone:
Quality design for User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) is fundamental to product adoption. Unfortunately, this is regularly neglected by developers working on privacy-focused projects. Often, this is due to lack of resources, but sometimes it's simply an oversight.
The problem is that if your application or website isn't appealing visually, is awkward to use, difficult to understand, or use jargon inaccessible to newcomers, people who aren't already in your community are much less likely to adopt your product, regardless of the privacy benefits it offers. Trying to tell people a billion times they should switch to using your app will be no help at all if it's unpleasant to use on a daily basis.
The problem is that if your application or website isn't appealing visually, is awkward to use, difficult to understand, or use jargon inaccessible to newcomers, ==people who aren't already in your community are much less likely to adopt your product==, regardless of the privacy benefits it offers. Trying to tell people a billion times they should switch to using your app will be no help at all if it's unpleasant to use on a daily basis.
When your app is ugly, fewer people want to use it, and fewer people benefit from its protections. Minimizing the importance of visual appeal and ease-of-use will only impact your goals negatively.

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---
As privacy activists, it's not only important to support the tools and organizations with good privacy practices, but also to lead by example when it comes to moving away from the surveillance ecosystem. We cannot afford to compromise our principles simply for [convenience](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/06/07/selling-surveillance-as-convenience/).
As privacy activists, it's not only important to support the tools and organizations with good privacy practices, but also to lead by example when it comes to **moving away from the surveillance ecosystem**. We cannot afford to compromise our principles simply for [convenience](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/06/07/selling-surveillance-as-convenience/).
Here's why and how to move away from Big Tech and embrace alternatives:
@ -44,19 +44,19 @@ While using the most popular mainstream tools and platforms for our work might s
## How to migrate away from privacy-harmful tools and choose better alternatives
There are two good news about this:
- First, there are many wonderful alternatives that already exist to support all kind of tasks, and that will preserve your privacy and the privacy of the people you communicate with.
- Second, you don't have to do it all at once! Start your migration process slowly, but be persistent about it over the whole year.
<div class="admonition question" markdown>
<div class="admonition question inline end" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">What is the best tool?</p>
For each proposed alternative, you should always first consider your own [threat model](../../basics/threat-modeling.md). One tool might be ideal for one person or organization, but another tool might be better for another. Make sure to understand well your threat model in order to choose the tools that are the best for your unique situation.
</div>
There are two good news about this:
- First, there are many wonderful alternatives that already exist to support all kind of tasks, and that will preserve your privacy and the privacy of the people you communicate with.
- Second, you don't have to do it all at once! Start your migration process slowly, but be persistent about it over the whole year.
Here's a list of alternative solutions you can start adopting to improve data privacy in your advocacy work:
### For individuals and organizations

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@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ description: Through your privacy work, it's crucial to protect the data of your
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---
Through your privacy advocacy work, be careful to never collect or share the data of others without their prior explicit consent. It's crucial to protect your allies' data in all that you do, whether it's individual action, organizing an event, or leading an organization.
Through your privacy advocacy work, be careful to never collect or share the data of others without their prior explicit consent. It's crucial to **protect your allies' data** in all that you do, whether it's individual action, organizing an event, or leading an organization.
Here's what you can do to safeguard the data of your privacy comrades:

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@ -4,21 +4,21 @@ description: As privacy activists, we must be a voice for resistance and take a
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---
As privacy advocates and activists, it's important to be a voice for resistance and take a stand against abusive practices. One substantial way to do this is to refuse to participate in privacy-intrusive requests, or use invasive software.
As privacy advocates and activists, it's important to **be a voice for resistance** and take a stand against abusive practices. One substantial way to do this is to refuse to participate in privacy-intrusive requests, or use invasive software.
Here's how you can refuse to comply with privacy-abusive practices, and why it's imperative that you do whenever possible:
## The risk of complying with privacy-invasive requests
Requests to invade our privacy are part of our daily lives in today's world. Whether it's a store cashier banally asking for our phone number after a purchase, or a prominent facial scan at the airport with no clear instructions on how to opt out, privacy-invasive requests have become so normalized that most people barely notice them anymore.
Requests to invade our privacy are part of our daily lives in today's world. Whether it's a store cashier banally asking for our phone number after a purchase, or a prominent facial scan at the airport with no clear instructions on how to opt out, ==privacy-invasive requests have become so normalized== that most people barely notice them anymore.
The problem is, each time we mindlessly comply because we are tired, rushed, or failed to even notice how unnecessary and intrusive this is, we directly contribute in **normalizing bad practices even more**.
The problem is, each time we mindlessly comply because we are tired, rushed, or failed to even notice how unnecessary and intrusive this is, we directly contribute in normalizing bad practices even more.
While it might be ambitious to expect people who aren't even aware of privacy issues to say no, as privacy advocates we have a responsibility to lead by example, and refuse every single time we legally can. Ideally, we should also document and report on our experience, as this presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the issue.
## The risk of using privacy-abusive platforms
Each time we use a platform, tool, or service that is privacy-invasive in our practice, we also contribute in **normalizing the use of privacy-abusive software**.
Each time we use a platform, tool, or service that is privacy-invasive in our practice, we also contribute in normalizing the use of privacy-abusive software.
It's not always easy to [leave Big Tech](tip-migrate-outside-the-surveillance-ecosystem.md) and adopt more privacy-preserving technologies in our daily work. Nevertheless, it's an essential part of our advocacy.

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@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ description: There is so much to do to improve privacy rights. So much, that it'
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---
There is so much to do in the movement for better privacy rights. So much, that it's sometime easy to feel discouraged when facing the scale of what's left to accomplish. But everything helps. Every small improvement counts, and every small victory should be celebrated.
There is so much to do in the movement for better privacy rights. So much, that it's sometime easy to feel discouraged when facing the scale of what's left to accomplish. But **everything helps**. Every small improvement counts, and every small victory should be celebrated.
Even if you don't feel like you [have the energy](tip-take-time-to-rest.md) to move a mountain today, there are plenty of small actions you can do.
Moreover, you don't have to move this mountain alone! If you push on it a little today, and a thousand people join you tomorrow, then a thousand more the day after, **this mountain will eventually move**.
Moreover, ==you don't have to move this mountain alone!== If you push on it a little today, and a thousand people join you tomorrow, then a thousand more the day after, this mountain will eventually move.
Here's why every action and each victory matter, no matter how small:
@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ Here's why every action and each victory matter, no matter how small:
Discouragement often emerges from envisioning too much of what's left to do at once. While it's important to [expand your perspective](tip-dont-stop-at-individual-solutions.md), when it comes to action, it's also important to segment the task at hand in smaller bites.
Even if you do not have the resource to organize a large campaign around a privacy issue, **do not minimize the power that you have**.
Even if you do not have the resource to organize a large campaign around a privacy issue, do not minimize the power that you have.
All the small contributions you can make will cumulate together over time, and end up having a significant effect overall.
All the small ==contributions you can make will cumulate together over time==, and end up having a significant effect overall.
Additionally, you are [not alone](tip-lift-your-allies-up.md) in this battle. If you can make a small contribution today, and convince maybe one or two other advocates to do the same, you have already contributed significantly to the movement.
@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Additionally, you are [not alone](tip-lift-your-allies-up.md) in this battle. If
Whenever you have a big idea to attack a privacy issue, make sure to [plan out your action](https://commonslibrary.org/effective-activist-strategic-plans/) by splitting up the task over time, and delegating to allies.
For example, if you want to organize a petition, perhaps ask one person to help with the website infrastructure, another with the design, another with the text, and another with the backend. Then, instead of trying to collect one million signatures by yourself, try to find allies and ask if they can help to collect a few signatures each. **Multiple your small impact by delegating to many.**
For example, if you want to organize a petition, perhaps ask one person to help with the website infrastructure, another with the design, another with the text, and another with the backend. Then, instead of trying to collect one million signatures by yourself, try to find allies and ask if they can help to collect a few signatures each. Multiple your small impact by delegating to many.
Each person who signs the petition contributes with each their own small action. Each person who helps to spread the word about the petition also helps with another small action. And each person who contributes to promoting the petition on their own channels helps as well. This all counts, and it all matters.

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@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Here's how you can nurture alliances instead of fueling conflicts:
## Acknowledge that you cannot win this battle alone, neither as a person nor as a single organization
To fight for privacy rights in this hostile environment, **we need to create a movement**. Effective movements grow from collaboration, not from competition. *You cannot do it alone.*
To fight for privacy rights in this hostile environment, **we need to create a movement**. Effective movements grow from collaboration, not from competition. ==You cannot do it alone.==
Attacks on digital rights have increased exponentially in the past few years. Not one organization, and certainly not one person, can solve these complex issues on their own. Not even the most prominent ones.
@ -28,49 +28,49 @@ Sadly, it's quite common in the privacy community to see privacy-focused busines
Perhaps some businesses and organizations think they are competing for the same scarce privacy-minded customers or donors. But this is a narrow vision that doesn't represent the bigger picture.
**The digital privacy rights movement is in its infancy.** There are in fact many more potential customers and potential donors, more than enough for every current organizations and privacy-oriented businesses on the planet. The part that is scarce is people who understand why protecting their right to privacy is important, and how to do it.
==The digital privacy rights movement is in its infancy.== There are in fact many more potential customers and potential donors, more than enough for every current organizations and privacy-oriented businesses on the planet. The part that is scarce is people who understand why protecting their right to privacy is important, and how to do it.
By promoting privacy rights *together*, we all participate in growing a movement where more and more people become aware of these issues, and will be interested in taking part in the solutions.
Competition, and especially when this competition leads to businesses and organizations badmouthing each other, ends up damaging the whole movement, therefore impacting negatively all of our goals.
Additionally, tearing down perceived competitors sharing your values isn't a good look for you. It's draining for people already in the community, and often repulsive to potential new people on the outside. This behavior often results in **pushing away newcomers that were initially interested** in joining our movement. This is bad for your competitors, sure, but it's *also bad for you*.
Additionally, tearing down perceived competitors sharing your values isn't a good look for you. It's draining for people already in the community, and often repulsive to potential new people on the outside. ==This behavior often results in pushing away newcomers== that were initially interested in joining our movement. This is bad for your competitors, sure, but it's *also* bad for *you*.
Newcomers get confused when they receive competing new information. **Confusion leads to inertia**, and inertia in the current Big Tech ecosystem means staying with Gmail instead of moving to Tuta or Proton mail, or any other privacy-focused email services. This is a bad outcome for *all* of us.
Newcomers get confused when they receive competing new information. Confusion leads to *inertia*, and inertia in the current Big Tech ecosystem means staying with Gmail instead of moving to Tuta or Proton mail, or any other privacy-focused email services. This is a bad outcome for *all* of us.
**None of us win if people stop listening and stay with Big Tech because we are too busy fighting each other.** Instead of damaging the movement with infighting, combat inertia and build alliances with each other.
**None of us win if people stop listening and stay with Big Tech** because we are too busy fighting each other. Instead of damaging the movement with infighting, combat inertia and build alliances with each other.
## How to start alliances
Here are a few ideas to start building alliances within the privacy community:
- Keep a list of organizations and other privacy activists sharing your values. Mastodon's [list feature](https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-the-lists-feature-on-mastodon/) can be very helpful to build a social network feed for this. Using a [RSS feed reader](../../news-aggregators.md) is another great way to do this.
- **Keep a list** of organizations and other privacy activists sharing your values. Mastodon's [list feature](https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-the-lists-feature-on-mastodon/) can be very helpful to build a social network feed for this. Using a [RSS feed reader](../../news-aggregators.md) is another great way to do this.
- Get familiar with what your allies are working on. Think about ways their mission might be compatible with yours.
- **Get familiar** with what your allies are working on. Think about ways their mission might be compatible with yours.
- Reach out to your allies and [amplify their voices](tip-lift-your-allies-up.md) whenever you can. **Boost them up!**
- **Reach out** to your allies and [amplify their voices](tip-lift-your-allies-up.md) whenever you can. Boost them up! 📣
- Participate in local events where you might be able to meet allies in-person, if this is something you can afford and do safely.
- **Participate** in local events where you might be able to meet allies in-person, if this is something you can afford and do safely.
- Organize a campaign and invite value-compatible organizations and people to join your action. Try asking for support that doesn't require too many resources on their part at first. As you build a trust relationship with your allies, you might want to increase your level of collaboration.
- **Organize** a campaign and invite value-compatible organizations and people to join your action. Try asking for support that doesn't require too many resources on their part at first. As you build a trust relationship with your allies, you might want to increase your level of collaboration.
- When a new privacy rights issue arises in the news, reach out to your allies and see how you could coordinate an action together, to make it more powerful. [Joint statements](https://museumofprotest.org/methods/signed-public-statements/) signed by multiple organizations and specialists can be an effective way to sway public opinion, bring an issue to the attention of the media, and get governments to listen.
- When a new privacy rights issue arises in the news, **reach out** to your allies and see how you could coordinate an action together, to make it more powerful. [Joint statements](https://museumofprotest.org/methods/signed-public-statements/) signed by multiple organizations and specialists can be an effective way to sway public opinion, bring an issue to the attention of the media, and get governments to listen.
- Ask your trusted allies about ways you could collaborate together. Think about how you could exchange or share resources to make both of your work stronger with partnerships.
- Ask your trusted allies about ways you could **collaborate** together. Think about how you could exchange or share resources to make both of your work stronger with partnerships.
## How to stop wars
Here are a few ways that might help to reduce the impact of infighting within the privacy community:
- Do not badmouth your competitors. This is a bad look for you, and has a negative impact on the whole community as well.
- **Do not badmouth** your competitors. This is a bad look for you, and has a negative impact on the whole community as well.
- Do not engage when people or organizations are dunking on each other on social platforms. Disengage and do not feed the fire.
- **Do not engage** when people or organizations are dunking on each other on social platforms. Disengage and do not feed the fire.
- When trying to advertise your products or organizations, focus on what you have to offer that is beneficial and unique, instead of using comparison with your perceived competitors. Make sure to describe what you have to offer in simple terms, so that it's accessible to newcomers.
- When trying to advertise your products or organizations, **focus on what you have** to offer that is beneficial and unique, instead of using comparison with your perceived competitors. Make sure to describe what you have to offer in simple terms, so that it's accessible to newcomers.
- Be part of the privacy rights movement. Participate in promoting privacy rights for everyone, even if that means some people might buy another company's services, or donate to another organization.
- **Be a part** of the privacy rights movement. Participate in promoting privacy rights for everyone, even if that means some people might buy another company's services, or donate to another organization.
- Position yourself as a mature leader in the movement who is above petty infighting. Instead, focus your energy on generously sharing resources for the cause, and promoting our shared values. **Become a valued member of the privacy rights community.**
- **Position yourself** as a mature leader in the movement who is above petty infighting. Instead, focus your energy on generously sharing resources for the cause, and promoting our shared values. Become a valued member of the privacy rights community.
## Examples of digital rights alliances and coalitions
@ -96,7 +96,13 @@ Here are a few ways that might help to reduce the impact of infighting within th
**Host:** [EDRi](https://edri.org/)<br>
**Participants:** ApTI, Bits of Freedom, Chaos Computer Club, Digital Courage, EFF, Epicenter Works, Internet Society, La Quadrature du Net, and more.
<hr>
<section class="admonition success" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">Coalition donation page example</p>
EDRi's *Stop Scanning Me* coalition provides a great example of collaboration with a [donation page](https://stopscanningme.eu/en/donate.html) listing all the coalition members with their countries of origin, and linking to external donation pages. EDRi humbly listed their own donation link at the bottom. We need more strong coalitions like this.
</section><hr>
- **Campaign:** [**The Nameless Coalition (2015)**](https://act.eff.org/action/dear-facebook-authentic-names-are-authentically-dangerous-for-your-users)
@ -109,13 +115,6 @@ Here are a few ways that might help to reduce the impact of infighting within th
**Host:** [OpenMedia](https://openmedia.org/)<br>
**Participants:** Amnesty International, BC CLA, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, EFF, FIPA, GreenPeace, Lead Now, and more.
<div class="admonition success" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">Coalition donation page example</p>
EDRi's Stop Scanning Me coalition provides a great example of collaboration with a [**donation page listing all the coalition members**](https://stopscanningme.eu/en/donate.html) with their countries of origin, and linking to external donation pages. EDRi humbly listed their own donation link at the bottom. We need more strong coalitions like this.
</div>
</div>
## More resources

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---
If you manage a digital rights group, meetup, chat room, event, or organization even, make sure you aren't subjecting your members and contributors to the very privacy-invasive tech you're fighting against. Sadly, it's not rare to see organizations and communities that aren't following their own privacy advice for internal practices.
Here's why it's important to stay true to your principles and lead by example:
Here's why it's important to **stay true to your principles** and lead by example:
## Be the groups and organizations you want to see in the world
@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Here are a few examples of practices and good habits you might want to adopt:
- [x] Create a [*Code of Ethics*](https://www.wikihow.com/Develop-a-Code-of-Ethics) for your group or organization, and ensure it includes a special emphasis on enforcing your privacy values.
- [x] Build protocols to **minimize data collection** and **maximize data protection** when collecting data internally (e.g. from employees), and externally (e.g. from subscribers). Verify that your protocols are thoroughly followed by everyone in your group or organization.
- [x] Build protocols to minimize data *collection* and maximize data *protection* when collecting data internally (e.g. from employees), and externally (e.g. from subscribers). Verify that your protocols are thoroughly followed by everyone in your group or organization.
- [x] Educate the members and contributors of your group or team. Make sure that everyone understands well your values, your Code of Ethics, and applies your established protocols.
@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ Here are a few examples of practices and good habits you might want to adopt:
- [x] Reject any offers for partnership or sponsorship from third-parties that have not been properly vetted for being trustworthy and sharing your privacy values, or who might only have profit and advertising in mind.
- [x] Keep your promises. As a privacy advocate, group, or organization, your reputation is the most valuable thing you have. **If people cannot trust your integrity, they will not trust any of your advices either.** If you promise to never accept sponsorship from certain Big Tech, then make sure you are ready to hold this promise. If you promise to never accept venture-capital money for your privacy-preserving app, then keep your word and be ready to reject even attractive offers.
- [x] Keep your promises. As a privacy advocate, group, or organization, your reputation is the most valuable thing you have. ==If people cannot trust your integrity, they will not trust any of your advices either.== If you promise to never accept sponsorship from certain Big Tech, then make sure you are ready to hold this promise. If you promise to never accept venture-capital money for your privacy-preserving app, then keep your word and be ready to reject even attractive offers.
## Integrity is essential to build our movement
Staying true to our principles can be challenging at time. Nonetheless, when we are talking about privacy rights, we are also talking a lot about *trust*. **Without integrity, there cannot be any trust.**
Staying true to our principles can be challenging at time. Nonetheless, when we are talking about privacy rights, we are also talking a lot about *trust*. Without integrity, there cannot be any trust.
Maintaining integrity with leading by example and keeping our promises is therefore essential to our fight for privacy rights. It's also fundamental to build our community, and to grow our movement with alliances.

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---
Fighting for better privacy rights, privacy tools, and privacy practices is a collective endeavor. You cannot do it alone. Anyone around you contributing is fighting the same battle by your side. This battle can be difficult and isolating at time. This is why it's critical to care for each other.
Here are things you can do to support your privacy comrades:
Here are things you can do to **support your privacy comrades**:
## Fighting for privacy rights can be isolating in unique ways
@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ Many privacy advocates will choose, rightly so, to [leave](tip-migrate-outside-t
Moreover, fighting to protect privacy rights while reading about attacks on those rights every day in the news can be draining.
Most advocates have experienced moments of great discouragement, and feelings of helplessness while facing the magnitude of the task at hand. **Social support is a matter of survival to recharge and continue this long battle for human rights.**
Most advocates have experienced moments of great discouragement, and feelings of helplessness while facing the magnitude of the task at hand. ==Social support is a matter of survival to recharge and continue this long battle for human rights.==
This is why we must work to rebuild communities of our own. Supportive privacy communities that are [kind](tip-be-kind-to-people-but-be-relentless-with-institutions.md), [inclusive](tip-keep-your-posts-and-community-inclusive.md), and [accessible](tip-be-mindful-of-accessibility.md).

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@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ description: The battle for privacy will be a long one. This isn't a sprint, it'
icon: fontawesome/solid/battery-quarter
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---
The battle for privacy rights will be a long one. **This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.**
The battle for privacy rights will be a long one. This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.
If you want to be a good advocate, who will be able to fight with us for a long time, you *must* take the time to rest when needed.
If you want to be a good advocate, who will be able to fight with us for a long time, you *must* take the time to **rest when needed**.
Burning out isn't an option, we cannot afford to lose your precious contribution! And to prevent burning out, you must learn how to rest.
@ -16,20 +16,19 @@ Here's why it's fundamental to learn how to rest when you need it:
## Knowing when to rest is a strength, not a weakness
Here's a bad news for you:
**You are a human.**
Here's bad news for you: **You are a human.**
This has many annoying side effects, such as having limited energy and a flesh body you need to take care of. Trying to ignore this undeniable fact will only slow you down even more.
In our society's hustle culture, it's counterproductive that we often value overwork more than strategic rest.
The thing is, overwork isn't a sustainable strategy for the long battle ahead of us. What we need to succeed is privacy activists who will fight by our side for a very long time. **We need endurance and persistence.** And for this to happen, we need ourselves and our [privacy comrades](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md) to be well-rested, by taking pauses and adopting the strategies we all need to recharge.
The thing is, overwork isn't a sustainable strategy for the long battle ahead of us. ==What we need to succeed is privacy activists who will fight by our side for a very long time. We need endurance and persistence.== And for this to happen, we need ourselves and our [privacy comrades](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md) to be well-rested, by taking pauses and adopting the strategies we all need to recharge.
We need our movement to stay away from the often toxic hustle culture we have all observed from Big Tech companies, and instead embrace a culture of mutual support that encourages self-care.
We shouldn't try to imitate our opponents by "[moving fast and breaking things](https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2022/04/04/move-fast-and-break-things/)."
**We need to move at a *sustainable* pace and build a powerful privacy rights movement that will last.**
We need to move at a *sustainable* pace, and build a powerful privacy rights movement that will last.
The important part isn't to fight for privacy rights 24/7. What matters most is that once you are well-rested after taking some time off, you come back to the battlefield to fight with us again.

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@ -8,23 +8,23 @@ In privacy like in other areas of life, **diversity is an incredible strength**.
Gathering people with a wide range of skills and experiences in your community is critical to effective work. People with different skill sets and lived experiences will together be able to reach out to a broader audience, and provide much more accurate and useful advice covering a variety of situations.
Here's how to **recognize, respect, and retain** experts with skills that are different to your own:
Here's how to recognize, respect, and retain experts with skills that are different to your own:
## Recognize people with different skills
Privacy is a vast multidisciplinary field. It doesn't just encompass the privacy technologies we use to protect our data, but also the laws that decide the legality of the tools and practices we use. Furthermore, the culture plays an essential role in our fight for better rights, despite being often a neglected aspect of privacy.
Being an expert in privacy can mean so many things. Not two specialists have the same knowledge.
Being an expert in privacy can mean so many things. No two specialists have the same knowledge.
Whatever your own privacy expertise might be, make sure to always stay aware of the [bigger picture](tip-keep-in-mind-the-whole-landscape.md), and recognize that other privacy specialists might have knowledges that are entirely different to yours. These knowledges might intersect, or you might not share any at all. This doesn't mean they are any less valuable, on the contrary.
This diversity of knowledge gives us the best chances to succeed in our common cause.
This ==diversity of knowledge gives us the best chance to succeed== in our common cause.
## Respect people with different knowledge
It's easy to fall in the trap to stay with our own group of peers who share the same knowledge as ours and discard the others. Unfortunately, this attitude is detrimental to our movement.
As a privacy activist, it's essential to develop respect for privacy advocates that specialize in other privacy-related knowledge that are different from yours. You need them to fight with you, and they need you to fight with them.
As a privacy activist, it's essential to **develop respect** for privacy advocates that specialize in other privacy-related knowledge that are different from yours. You need them to fight with you, and they need you to fight with them.
Pay attention to the people in your groups that might be pushed aside because their area of expertise is different from the majority that are present. Try to make them feel respected and included in your groups and communities. Engage with them positively when they contribute, even if you don't understand their specialty.
@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ If you specialize in technical tools, value people with legal and social knowled
## Retain specialists that are different
Inclusivity is key to retain newcomers in your groups and communities. People who are new or different from the majority of the group should feel welcomed and valued.
**Inclusivity is key** to retain newcomers in your groups and communities. People who are new or different from the majority of the group should feel welcomed and valued.
Work on developing your awareness of these dynamics in your groups. Try to improve your empathy skills, and [support better your privacy comrades](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md), especially those who might be different from the majority because of their expertise, demographic, or location. Reach out to them in private to make them feel welcomed. Praise them publicly when they contribute in a way you like. [Give credit where credit is due](tip-give-credit-where-credit-is-due.md).

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@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ description: For our privacy rights movement to grow, we must bring more people
icon: fontawesome/solid/user-plus
cover: activism/banner-toolbox-tip-beginners.webp
---
For our privacy rights movement to grow, we must bring more people in. To accomplish this, it's fundamental to discuss privacy in ways that are accessible to newcomers who aren't familiar with basic concepts yet.
For our privacy rights movement to grow, we must **bring more people in**. To accomplish this, it's fundamental to discuss privacy in ways that are accessible to newcomers who aren't familiar with basic concepts yet.
Here's how you can improve your advocacy work to make it more approachable to beginners:
## We cannot grow our movement without newcomers
Beginners and newcomers are indispensable to our privacy rights movement. Without them, we cannot grow. And without growth, we cannot win.
Beginners and newcomers are *indispensable* to our privacy rights movement. Without them, we cannot grow. And without growth, we cannot win.
To attract new people to our communities and our cause, we need to create an environment that is welcoming, safe, and pleasant to be in. When newcomers face rudeness and criticism, they leave. And when they leave, we lose.
@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ Kindness, patience, and compassion are the first steps to attract and retain new
- **Explain technologies:** As for acronyms, don't assume that everyone has the same knowledge as you when it comes to technology, even the technologies that seem basic to you. Perhaps you have been in tech for so long that you have forgotten not everyone knows what an Operating System (OS) is. Nevertheless, make sure to provide a short explanation or example to keep your content welcoming to beginners. If you talk about Operating Systems, perhaps also add "such as macOS, Windows, or Linux" to make your point more accessible.
- **Start with the basics:** Depending on the context, do not neglect to discuss the most basic privacy concepts before jumping in the juicy tech. Fundamental ideas such as consent, data collection, data storage, or encryption are important to master in order to understand the benefits and dangers related to data privacy. Specific tech and services come and go, but **fundamental ideas remain**. Anyone who comprehend well these core concepts will have a much easier time understanding all that follows.
- **Start with the basics:** Depending on the context, do not neglect to discuss the most basic privacy concepts before jumping in the juicy tech. Fundamental ideas such as consent, data collection, data storage, or encryption are important to master in order to understand the benefits and dangers related to data privacy. Specific tech and services come and go, but *fundamental* ideas remain. Anyone who comprehend well these core concepts will have a much easier time understanding all that follows.
- **No stupid questions:** There are no stupid questions, only impatient answerers. Whenever a beginner asks a question that seems obvious to you, refrain from replying with something dry or snarky such as "Google it," or its privacy-equivalent "DuckDuckGo it." This only has for effect to chase people away from our community. If you don't feel like helping, just reply nothing. But if you do want to help, try to find an answer for them. If you are in a rush, something like "Hey! Sorry I don't have the answer, but maybe this [resource](../../basics/why-privacy-matters.md) might be helpful to you!" or "Sorry I'm not sure, but perhaps asking on this [forum](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/) might get you an answer."
- **Stay patient and compassionate:** Always stay patient with beginners and newcomers (and everyone else, actually). To keep people fighting with us and grow our movement, we cannot afford to lose anyone just because we felt angry that day. Develop your [empathy skills](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md) to provide support and reply with compassion. People stay where they feel safe and welcomed. **Make them feel safe and welcomed.**
- **Stay patient and compassionate:** Always stay patient with beginners and newcomers (and everyone else, actually). To keep people fighting with us and grow our movement, we cannot afford to lose anyone just because we felt angry that day. Develop your [empathy skills](tip-support-your-privacy-comrades.md) to provide support and reply with compassion. People stay where they feel safe and welcomed. ==Make them feel safe and welcomed.==
- **Do not confound lack of knowledge with lack of intelligence:** Everyone has a different set of knowledge. Lack of knowledge doesn't mean someone isn't intelligent, it just means they haven't come in contact with this area of knowledge yet. They probably know a lot of things you don't know at all. Be careful not to sound patronizing when communicating with newcomers (or anyone else really). This is a behavior sadly too common in the privacy community, and we all need to work on this to create an environment that is more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.

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@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
*[NAT]: Network address translation
*[NAT-PMP]: NAT Port Mapping Protocol
*[NTP]: Network Time Protocol
*[Nunavut]: The largest and northernmost territory of Canada
*[OCI]: Open Container Initiative
*[OCSP]: Online Certificate Status Protocol
*[OEM]: Original Equipment Manufacturer