og post: https://hexbear.net/post/6608284

While it was absolutely spreading unverified accounts that were a bit sus, I think the discussion prompted needs to be had for the USian comrades especially. Feds are watching online spaces, pretexts are already established to treat anti-fascists as terrorists (always have been but it indicates a renewed focus), and the USA cares less about freeze-peach than ever…

What should US comrades be doing to protect themselves, besides “not using discord”. What about using this site, what are the risks there?

  • oscardejarjayes [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    1·
    27 days ago

    I mean, I do generally use Hexbear through Tor, so I’m not personally worried. You could use something like Mullvad VPN.

    I personally think it’s unlikely that they’ll start raiding people for posting on an obscure communist forum, especially if people don’t fedpost. There’s way more open left-wingers straight up doxxing themselves on places like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram that would be much easier targets.

    • trinicorn [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
      1·
      27 days ago

      raiding maybe not, but put on a list, via dragnet surveillance?

      I guess I should have led the post off with more my opinion lol. Because I’m beginning to think americans should not be accessing the site directly at all. We’re all libs, I get that, but when circumstances force us all to start touching more grass I’d rather organize with yall than be sent to the camps together

      • oscardejarjayes [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
        2·
        27 days ago

        I think organizing is significantly more likely to land you on a list than using Hexbear. I’ve had multiple friends/comrades arrested by the feds, and they’ve almost certainly infiltrated my orgs to some extent.

        But yeah, if that’s what you meant you should open with that. Maybe make a post telling American Hexbears to use a good VPN or Tor, so it isn’t direct access?

        • trinicorn [comrade/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
          1·
          27 days ago

          yeah 100%. IRL organizing for sure more likely to land you in hot water faster ofc. I haven’t seen anything federal up close (so far) but I know some of the local anarchist groups totally collapsed after a campaign of infiltration before I was around. But a wellspring of sympathizers/contacts that aren’t already on a list seems important to maintain.