Many activists today use smartphones as their primary device for accessing the internet. Some have stopped using computers altogether. In this situation, a significant part of organizational work is being transferred to mobile applications. And although we are not advocates of using smartphones for people at high risk of repression by the state or large corporations, we are forced to adapt to the new reality.
Before we move on to reviewing devices, we would like to remind you once again that mobile devices are a huge compromise in terms of security and should be avoided for critical tasks. Participants in various protests both in Belarus and beyond are well aware that, when detaining individuals, repressive authorities first try to seize working phones, ask them to unlock their devices for “inspection,” and so on. The reason is quite simple: today, activists store a huge amount of information on their devices and carry this information with them, often locking it with completely insecure methods, such as fingerprints.
For those who are forced to use mobile devices, security comes at a price. In other words, you can forget about your €150 Xiaomi device being secure. What’s more, there’s a chance that it won’t receive any security updates after purchase (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/android-phone-makers-reportedly-lying-192119052.html). If new people join your group/organization, their mobile devices will most likely not be considered secure. We recommend collective support for the purchase of such devices in order to increase the overall level of activist security and avoid situations where the difficult financial situation of some participants in the movement could negatively affect security.
It is important to note that we do not engage in any advertising, no one is paying for this article, we have not received any “free devices” or any profit from the platforms we refer to in the article.
Google Pixel 8-10, 8a-9a + GrapheneOS
A few years ago, we already recommended Google Pixel in our selection. The reason remains the same: Google actively supports its devices and is one of the first on the market to release security updates. In addition, the support period for updates to new devices from the evil corporation is 7 years.
Unfortunately, the situation in the smartphone hacking market has recently taken a turn for the worse. About a week ago, it became known that Cellebrite, an Israeli company that hacks devices for government players, is capable of exporting information from all Pixel devices running Google’s native Android (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/10/ leaker-reveals-which-pixels-are-vulnerable-to-cellebrite-phone-hacking/). Based on the published information, the only option for Android users today is to install GrapheneOS on their phones, which Cellebrite has not yet been able to crack due to additional security mechanisms.
Installing GrapheneOS does not require advanced knowledge, but if you are unsure, find someone in your circle with basic IT skills to install the system for you. The Sabotage Distro project has also started selling phones for activists with GrapheneOS, but buying a device online comes with its own problems (Sabotage Distro describes them in detail on its website).
For activists, GrapheneOS has a fairly long list of features:
- Storage Scopes — give apps permission to access only specific folders on your device
- MAC randomization for each network connection
- Support for longer passwords (64 characters, instead of the usual 16)
- Auto-reboot — set a timer after which the device automatically restarts (from 10 minutes to 72 hours)
- Additional user profiles — you can create up to 32 additional profiles with different settings, including multiple profiles for Signal and other apps that do not support multiple accounts at once.
- Fake password for device reset — set an alternative password that will reset your entire device when entered
The full list is available on the project website – https://grapheneos.org/features
The cost of Google Pixel is above the market average. In November 2025, the cheapest on this list, the Google Pixel 8a, cost around €420, depending on your region. Pixel 10 – €650+.
PinePhone + Linux
Alternative smartphones without Android or Apple platforms for technically savvy activists. Many mobile apps are not available for the PinePhone, and the device itself is a mix of mobile experience and desktop. It is important to understand that this device will require much more time and attention than a regular smartphone and is more of a hobby. System administrators and people who work with Linux on a regular basis will definitely appreciate the PinePhone.
The device also has physical switches for privacy: the user can disable the modem, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, microphone, cameras, and headphone port. This is quite an important feature for some activists, for whom the presence of any devices with microphones or cameras at meetings is unacceptable.
An additional advantage is that the device is relatively easy to disassemble and replace components. Today, the PinePhone is one of the few smartphones on the market where you can remove the battery without completely disassembling the phone with special tools: the back cover can be removed without any problems.
The cost of devices has gone up in recent years, and today a new PinePhone costs around €600 in the EU.
Bonus: LTE WiFi modem + Smartphone
One of the main problems with mobile devices is the constant connection to the network, which allows your device to be identified without additional investigation by government agencies. To make the work of repressive authorities more difficult, we recommend using your internet on WiFi modems, into which you insert your main SIM card and connect to this modem via WiFi on your phone.
If necessary, you can easily remove the battery from such a modem and disconnect any connection to mobile operators. This technology stack has its own specific issues, but it is primarily a simple solution to the problem of disconnecting SIM cards from the network and combating the identification of your devices online.
The cost of such modems is usually around 40-50 euros.
Instead of a conclusion
Organizing your device is only the first step in creating a secure environment for many activists to work in. All the fuss about buying and setting up the right device can easily be thrown in the trash if people decide to install unsafe applications on that device. Following information security rules is also critical to keeping your device secure and preventing it from being hacked by the state or malicious actors at a critical moment.
Security is not a one-time action, but a process that requires constant work: training, discussions, familiarization with new material, and so on. With an ever-changing set of dangers, activists are forced to constantly adapt to threats in order not only to maintain individual and collective security, but also to avoid serious repression.
