President Donald Trump has warned of “very heavy force” against protesters at Saturday’s US military parade in Washington, DC, raising alarms among privacy advocates about digital surveillance. Trump’s remarks did not differentiate between peaceful and violent protesters, prompting concerns about free speech and safety. Organizers of nationwide “No Kings” protests are notably excluding DC to avoid drawing attention from the parade, which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday. Experts warn of the potential use of surveillance technologies like facial recognition, license plate readers, cell site simulators, and geofence warrants in monitoring protesters. These concerns highlight the need for protester vigilance around privacy and digital security.
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