zlacker

>>pera+(OP)
The biggest drawback with Signal for protesters is that it exposes the user's phone number to everyone else in groups (just like WhatsApp does). There is no way to even hide the fact that you have an account on Signal. I can add phone numbers by enumeration into my contacts and Signal will show who among my contacts is on it. If the authorities don't use tactics like they did in Hong Kong, the protesters may be safe from being spied on (or worse).

>>AnonC+ul
Signal is not only used by protesters[0][1] so discovering that a phone number is connected to a Signal account by no means implies that the phone is used by a protester.

[0]: https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/01/23/deploye...

[1]: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/17/tories-swit...

>>hjek+7m
Yeah, if you're ever asked why you're on Signal, just say you wanted to stay in touch with a programmer friend who's not on Facebook/WhatsApp, and they suggested Signal (that is now literally true as well - I suggest you try Signal, friend)

>>m12k+wn
If the law enforcement is talking to you in the U.S., the only right answer is "I'd prefer to have a laywer here."

Not a joke, for real.

They are experts at getting you to talk to them even if you know this. They are experts at getting you to say things that incriminate you or your friends -- that you or your friends have done nothing wrong (in your opinion/as far as you know) will not protect you.

The only answers you should be rehearsing or thinking of in advance are "I would like a lawyer" and "I would like to remain silent." They are rehearsing how to get you to say incriminating things, a lot. Rehearsing or thinking up any other answers only plays into their strengths. Even knowing this, I've been tricked into talking to them, to my detriment. They are really good at it.

>>jrochk+5T
I’ve heard this before but here’s my practical problem: I don’t know any lawyers. I have literally no idea who to call in such a situation. Do I have to go find and retain a lawyer beforehand just in case I might need one later?

>>vincen+TV
There are services where you pay a monthly fee ($20 a month in my case), and you get a card with phone numbers for a law firm (actually it's a service that will connect you with a lawyer local to where you are). You get access to a lawyer for a certain amount of time without extra charge, the amount of time increasing the longer you pay for the service. If you get into serious legal trouble you will end up paying for a lawyer anyway, but a service like this will help in those circumstances where a cop wants to question you, and you want to say "I want a lawyer present."

I agree with some of the other commenters that you really should say the word "want", not "wish" or "would like". You need to be clear and emphatic about having a lawyer present.

>>inetse+Xt1
That sounds like exactly what I need. What’s the service called that you use?

>>vincen+gy1
It's called LegalShield. The website is here: https://www.legalshield.com

There are others. Do a search for "prepaid legal services". Most of them have similar prices (~$20 a month) and provide similar services (wills, traffic tickets, document review, etc). Like I said, if you get into serious trouble, you will have to pay for a lawyer. This is like insurance. In my opinion, if it helps you avoid saying something stupid to a cop, it's probably worth it.