New smartphone app to help scribes and activists stay safe

A new smartphone app provides human rights activists, humanitarians and journalists with all the latest tools and advice on how to operate safely in an insecure environment.
The app, Umbrella, developed by London-based Security First, provides practical advice for everything from how to make a secure phone call or protect files, to spotting surveillance or what to do if you are arrested.
Lessons give step-by-step actions of what to do in any given security situation and show the best tools to do it with.
Easy-to-use checklists can help the user mark progress and a dashboard also allows them to keep up to date with the current risks in their area.

"We wanted to build a simple, easily-accessible tool that brought together digital and physical security, and helped human rights activists implement it in a really user-friendly way," said Rory Byrne, CEO of Security First.
"Managing the safety of staff and collaborators in insecure environments, across multiple locations and facing an array of threats can be challenging," said Matt Timblin, Director of Security at Human Rights Watch.
"The prospect of an easily accessible 'one stop shop' app, such as Umbrella, that allows quick access to security advice is an exciting and innovative development in helping improve the security of those working as human rights activists, humanitarians and journalists around the world," said Timblin.