Should We Continue Organizing On Social Media?
Has the Billionaire Takeover Attempt Made Social Media Unsafe?
Social media is both a powerful tool for organizing and a deeply compromised space, one that authoritarian actors actively exploit for surveillance, disinformation, and repression. The question isn’t whether we can trust social media (we can’t), but whether we can still use it effectively while minimizing risks and maximizing impact.
Why Social Media Still Matters for Organizing
Rapid Mobilization – Social media allows movements to spread information quickly, coordinate actions in real time, and bypass traditional media gatekeepers.
Narrative Control – In an era of state propaganda and corporate media consolidation, social platforms provide an essential space to challenge authoritarian narratives and uplift grassroots voices.
International Solidarity – Activists across borders can learn from and support each other in ways that were impossible in the past.
Mass Visibility – Viral content can bring attention to injustices, forcing governments and corporations to respond in ways they otherwise wouldn’t.
How Authoritarians Exploit Social Media
Surveillance & Data Mining – Platforms collect massive amounts of user data, which can be accessed or hacked by authoritarian regimes to identify dissidents, map networks, and predict movement strategies.
Algorithmic Manipulation – Social media companies prioritize engagement over truth, meaning authoritarians can flood platforms with disinformation, drown out opposition, and exploit emotional polarization.
Censorship & Deplatforming – Governments and corporations have the power to remove activists from platforms, throttle reach, or manipulate visibility through shadow bans and AI-driven moderation.
Infiltration & PsyOps – State-backed trolls, bot networks, and provocateurs use social media to divide movements, provoke infighting, and manufacture consent for repression.
How to Use Social Media Without Letting It Use You
Decentralize Communication – Don’t rely solely on social media. Use encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Wire, Session), email lists, and in-person organizing.
Limit Data Exposure – Avoid sharing personal details, use VPNs, create burner accounts for high-risk actions, and be cautious about digital footprints.
Control the Narrative – Use storytelling, humor, and culture to shape discourse before authoritarians do. Don’t just react—set the terms of debate.
Train for Digital Security – Educate activists on best practices for cybersecurity, phishing attacks, and counter-surveillance tactics.
Build Alternative Infrastructure – Invest in independent media, decentralized social networks, and offline organizing spaces to sustain movements beyond Big Tech platforms.
The Bottom Line
Social media is not safe, but it is still useful—if we treat it as a battlefield, not a sanctuary. The key is to use these platforms strategically, knowing their risks, while actively developing alternative ways to organize that don’t depend on corporate-controlled digital spaces. The future of pro-democracy movements will belong to those who adapt, secure their communications, and build resilience beyond the algorithm.