As medical prescribers in transgender healthcare, navigating privacy and security in a politically hostile landscape has never been more critical. While it’s impossible to achieve perfect operational security (op sec), taking proactive steps can protect your data and identity from increasing threats. This guide provides practical tips for safeguarding your digital and personal information—but first, a few important disclaimers:

Disclaimers

• We aren’t operational security experts: No digital communication is entirely secure, and this is not an exhaustive guide.
• We aren’t attorneys: This guide does not constitute legal advice. Healthcare providers cannot provide legal counsel. It is your responsibility to understand the risks in your state and consult legal professionals if needed.

How People Most Commonly Get “Caught”

According to community activists, the most common ways people face scrutiny are often closer to home:

• Other Healthcare Workers: Be cautious when discussing sensitive topics. Avoid documentation sharing when possible- document cautiously.
• Friends and Family: Be cautious when discussing sensitive topics. Test the waters with safer subjects to gauge someone’s stance before sharing details.
• Digital Footprints: Avoid creating a record of disclosures through text, email, or social media that could be used against you.

The Basics of Safer Practices

1. Be Selective About What You Share

   • Don’t divulge unnecessary details.
   • Avoid conversations with law enforcement without legal counsel.

2. Be Mindful Online

   • Untie your real name, location, or identifiable details from your accounts.
   • Make personal accounts private and consider creating new, anonymous profiles.
   • Avoid using recognizable images of yourself as profile photos.

3. Physical Safety at Protests or Activist Events

   • Leave your phone at home, or at the very least disable facial and fingerprint recognition.
   • Use secure, unique passwords stored in a password manager.

4. Secure Important Documents

   • Store critical files offline on an encrypted hard drive.
   • Avoid relying on cloud storage for sensitive information.

Secure Communication Tools

What to Look For: End-to-end encryption to protect data in transit and storage.

• Email:

  • Proton Mail: Offers free accounts, encrypted email, and additional tools like VPN and file storage.

• Texting and Calls:

  • Signal: End-to-end encrypted, with disappearing messages and the ability to mask phone numbers.

• Video Conferencing:

  • Jitsi: Open-source, encrypted video conferencing.

Avoid: Gmail, Google Drive, and Dropbox—they are not encrypted and can be subpoenaed.

Posting on Social Media

When sharing online, protect your identity and location:

• Strip location data from photos and videos before uploading. Signal can strip this metadata if you send an image to yourself before posting.
• Avoid posting about your current location—share only after you’ve left.
• Be cautious about sharing identifiable landmarks like street signs or your home.
• Turn off location tracking in apps and posts.

Additional Resources for Operational Security

Explore these organizations and tools for further learning and support:

• Digital Defense Fund: Dedicated to privacy and security for medical activists.
• Electronic Frontier Foundation: Resources on digital privacy and rights.
• Safety, Security, and Digital Preparedness for a Second Trump Administration: Insights for navigating an evolving political climate.
• Movement Technology’s Post-US Election Report: A breakdown of lessons learned and strategies for staying safe.

Protect Yourself, Protect Your Patients

Staying vigilant about operational security is an act of care—not just for yourself, but for your patients and the broader transgender community. While no system is foolproof, small steps can make a big difference in reducing risk.

At QueerCME, we’re committed to supporting you in this journey. By prioritizing privacy and practicing caution, we can continue to provide affirming care in an increasingly uncertain world.