Research Guides: Information Privacy: Tools and Resources

General Resources

The following pages include links to tools, strategies, organizations, and other resources related to keeping your information private.

Privacy Tools (from Privacy Guides)
Includes lists and descriptions of private web browsers, VPNs, email providers, and lots of other tools. Helpful for exploring options for leaving Google's suite of tools behind, among other privacy-focused changes.
Tools from EFF's Tech Team (Electronic Freedom Foundation)
Includes anti-surveillance-focused browser add-ons, among other tools, as well as databases and research projects on law enforcement surveillance.
Radical Talismans (by Reo Eveleth)
An analog way of sharing sensitive information in a community, along with recommendations for crisis lines, mutual aid, and healthcare.
Privacy at UCI
Links to the UC Statement on Privacy Values and Privacy Principles, and how UCI supports these values and principles
Privacy and Student Records (UCI Registrar)
Learn what information is available and what you can restrict via your student records.

Digital Self-Defense

These resources contain general information about privacy, but also have organizers and activists in mind.

Digital Privacy Guide for Organizers and Activists (from Oculus Malus)
Contains definitions of privacy, security, and other terms, along with recommendations for how to organize and take actions with those definitions in mind.
Surveillance Self-Defense (from Electronic Freedom Foundation)
Robust guide to "protecting you and your friends from online spying." Links to "tips, tools, and how-tos for safer online communications."
The Digital Defense Playbook: Community Power Tools for Reclaiming Data (from Our Data Bodies)
A workbook for community organizers and collectives to understand and share knowledge about data practices through individual and group "data check-up" activities, and workshops on community data safety.

Digital Opt-Out / Detox

Information about how to turn off or opt out of things that may automatically run on your devices or that you may encounter in your everyday

Data Detox Kit (by Tactical Tech)
Contains information about minimizing data on your smartphone, and understanding what "AI" is and how it uses data, as well as suggestions on how to critically evaluate the time you're spending on your screens.
How to turn off CoPilot in Microsoft 365
Opt Out Resources (from Keep Beyond)
Shares printable cards that you can use to help you opt out of "biometric theft, facial recognition tech, and data scraping" in places like airports, train stations, and stadiums. Also includes small printable sheets for referencing opt out and privacy clauses in various circumstances.

Anti-Doxxing and Anti-Harassment

Information and resources about what to do if you are experiencing online harassment or doxxing (doxxing is the act of publishing personal information about someone without their consent, and using that information to cause them harm).

Anti-Doxxing Emergency Protocols (Library Freedom Project)
Advice on how to identify, take action, and support/protect yourself if you are experiencing doxxing right now.
UCI Doxxing Resources for Students
Webpage from UCI's Office of Student Affairs
Guide to Protecting Yourself from Online Harassment (Library Freedom Project)
Printable pamphlet with resources, action steps, definitions, and more