

Always remember, if the groups who are threatening you have partnerships with the telecommunications companies in your country or have access to equipment that allows them to intercept telecommunications, they can easily discover the telephone numbers of your recipients.For example, a lawyer or community leader. Pick someone whose reputation and influence will help to secure your release. Your close colleagues may know the situation but they could also be at high risk or even be arrested with you. Consider who can realistically help you in an emergency.Don’t pick three people in a single organization or location. Make sure that the three emergency contacts complement each other.For example, don’t pick someone who you know regularly leaves their phone at home in which case your alert may not be seen for hours.

These should be people with a mobile phone who are likely to check it regularly.These three people must be prepared to respond fast so make sure you talk to them first. Think carefully about who in your network is placed to receive the alert. There is also a list of suggested resources where you can learn about additional tools and strategies to mitigate against the risks of using a mobile phone.įurther security information about how Panic Button attempts to protect users against different types of adverse situations can be found here. If you are using Panic Button in your work, we encourage you to visit our help section on assessing risks and using your mobile phone more safely. This present you and your contacts with direct risks if the groups who are threatening you have partnerships with the telecommunications companies in your country or have access to equipment that allows them to intercept telecommunications. This is true for all calls and SMS communications you make, including SMS alerts sent by Panic Button. The mobile networks that allow you to send an SMS are not built to protect your privacy or the content of your messages. However, this does not prevent a competent attacker from accessing the content or recipient of your messages, including your location. The disguise aims to delay the discovery of the application for as long as possible while it sends location updates to your chosen contacts. It is important that you understand and assess the trade-offs you make in your security when using Panic Button.Īlways remember: Panic Button only improves your safety when your contacts are in a position to act.
