Digital Threat Modeling Under Authoritarianism

The essay examines how authoritarian dynamics reshape personal digital threat models, detailing what data governments and corporations hold, how these datasets can be combined for targeted and mass surveillance, and the resulting risks—from selective prosecution to opportunistic device searches. It highlights practical mitigations such as minimizing stored data, cautious app use, border/device strategies, and encryption (with its limits), while stressing trade-offs, the dangers of decentralized repression and surveillance errors, and the need to remain online for effective coordination and civic action.