anticolonial tech collective

ALT Red and black gradient background with bold white text stating, "IF IT'S NOT BROKEN, DON'T REPLACE IT! Tech companies constantly market and push consumers to buy new devices—don't fall for it! Resist consumerism! You don't need the latest iPhone or laptop, really. Don't replace your devices unless you absolutely need to. (And you probably don't!)" Encouraging sustainable tech usage.

ALT Graphic encouraging tech repair to benefit the environment and save money. Text reads: "IF IT'S BROKEN, DON'T TRASH IT... FIX IT! Repairing tech is better for the environment and your wallet. When tech devices are thrown out, they often end up in landfills, where parts and materials (like cobalt!) go to waste. Depending on the repair, you can: look into manufacturer repairs, repair shops like Microcenter, buy parts and repair your devices yourself (if you're experienced)." Text is white and red on a black background with red shading.

ALT Graphic promoting the purchase of used electronics with the title 'Need Something New? Buy Used!' Refurbished tech is great way to replace your devices while keeping demand for new tech and cobalt low. Used doesn't mean broke, old, or low quality either. You can get devices in excellent or even like-new condition for a fraction of the cost. Good options for purchasing used tech, include BackMarket, Best Buy Open Box, and marketplaces like Swappa, Mercari, and eBay.

ALT Graphic stating: Our tech devices are built using child slave labor from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Buying new tech devices every year not only drives up demand for cobalt, but it contributes to increased carbon emissions and produces more e-waste.

ALT Graphic stating "Using smartphones for one more year equals taking 2 million cars off the road. The average person in the US changes their phone every 2-3 years. Most of these phones still work!" with emphasis on "still work." Graphic has red and black color scheme with red starburst accents.

ALT Graphic with text "For Congo & the Planet" Then there is text "Don't Buy New Tech" is in all capital letters in a repeating pattern. The words are in red with contrasting black and white outlines on a black background, with two small red stars on the upper left and lower right sides. The text "Anticolonial Tech Collective" is in all capital letters as well at the bottom.

ALT Pictured is a crowded cobalt mine in Congo filled with Congolese men, women, and children, alongside text stating "The tech industry runs on the exploitation of Congolese men, women, and children. Let's call it what it is: Modern Day Slavery." Slavery is highlighted with red text.

ALT A map outline of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a flag is pictured next to the text: "To learn more about Congo, FOLLOW @congofriends @focuscongo @teamcongo.rdc" And visit FREECONGO.ORG to take action!

ALT A text overlay describing how "Cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries which power everything from iPhones to EVs. Coltan is necessary for tantalum capacitors, which are used in almost every electronic device. Both are being hand-mined by CHILDREN." The last sentence is highlighted with red text. There is an image of a young child sitting on a barren terrain, using a hammer to mine, visually underscoring the use of child labor in cobalt and coltan mining for electronic devices.

ALT Text "Children as young as 4 have been found picking out cobalt stones. Other children do grueling physical labor for 12+ hrs/day. With NO protective equipment or regulation, these children are guaranteed to get sick from their daily exposure to cobalt." on white background. 12+ hrs/day is highlighted in red text. Image of a young girl who was found working in cobalt mines in Congo is included.

ALT A person's cupped hands holding cobalt ore with a text overlay stating "The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the largest reserve of Cobalt and Coltan in the world. Once ignored, both minerals have become vital for tech companies since 2017.

ALT Text on child labor lawsuit against tech companies as follows: "Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft, and Tesla were sued by former Congolese child miners for: "knowingly benefiting from and aiding and abetting the cruel and brutal use of young children in the Democratic Republic of Congo to mine cobalt". Unsurprisingly, a U.S. court threw out the case earlier this year in March." Cruel and brutal use of young children is highlighted with red text.

ALT Graphic highlighting the involvement of Big Tech companies in fueling "a lucrative cobalt rush in Congo, with most mines being illegally operated", set against a background of cobalt crystals. Logos of Google, Tesla, Apple, Dell, and Microsoft are displayed on the four corners.

ALT iPhone interior with the text "TECH IS BLEEDING CONGO". There is a red blood drip effect on the phone.

ALT Tech Students, do not be complicit in genocide. Educate (all caps): Educate yourself and others about the role of tech in genocide, apartheid, and occupation. Learn more about the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) Movement at bdsmovement.net. Refuse (all caps): Refuse to attend recruitment events where these companies are present. Refuse recruitment by these companies. Boycott (all caps): Boycott companies that are BDS targets. This includes Siemens, Intel, and Hewlett Packard (HP) (all caps). protest (all caps): Take to the streets! Join local actions in your city and voice your support for Palestinians. Organize (all caps): Get involved with local organizations. Talk to classmates and form contingents to go actions together. Step up, get trained, and take the lead! 

ALT Tech Students, do not be complicit in genocide (all caps). This spring, let recruiters know exactly how you feel! Use one of the scripts (or some variation!) below to engage with recruiters and voice your opposition to tech-fueled genocide. We're breaking the silence and complicity of the tech industry and saying enough is enough! Email/Handshake/LinkedIn (all caps): "Thank you for reaching out. Through my time at [your university], I've developed many skills in _____. However, I am NOT interested in engineering weapons to injure and kill Palestinian men, women, and children. [company name] profits off the occupation of Palestine, and I refuse to contribute my labor and be complicit in genocide." In person (all caps): "My name is _____ and I am a student in [your major].  I am extremely disturbed by the role of [company] in the genocide of Palestinians. Men, women, and children are being killed by the weapons you (all caps) produce. Your salaries are paid for with Palestinian blood.

ALT Tech Students, do not be complicit in genocide (all caps). For those who feel comfortable: disrupt (all caps). Take up a recruiter's time so they don't get to talk to as many students. Ask tough questions that put recruiters on the spot! What rights do employees have on antiwar speech? How does [company] choose which conflicts and wars it provides weapons and tech for? You say you are committed to ethical conduct. What's the procedure when ethics are breached? Who can employees direct ethical and moral concerns, say about genocide, to? What do employee benefits include? Maybe a 'moral dilemma resolution' package for employees who struggle with the ethical implications of their work? Business must be booming right now. Does [company] always profit from war and genocide? I'm very excited about the work [company] does, especially in the Middle East. How long until I'm able to work on the bombs being dropped on Gaza? Are bonuses based on how many children you've killed?

ALT I will not be complicit in genocide. Boycott tech used for genocide and occupation! Logo of anticolonialtech pictured alongside a QR code for the Tech Revolt! pledge. Facts on Defense Companies Arming Israel, including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, BAE Systems, and Elbit Systems. Facts also included about Official BDS Targets Siemens, Hewlett Packard, and Intel's role in genocide.

ALT Privacy Tools VPNs • Mullvad VPN • ProtonVPN Avoid free VPNs. If a service is free, there's a good chance your data is being sold. Messengers • Signal • Element • Telegram Avoid Messenger, Whatsapp, Instagram. Always assume someone else can and will read your messages!

ALT Privacy Tools cont Email • ProtonMail Web Browsers • Firefox • Brave Browser Brave blocks fingerprinting techniques used to identify you online. • Tor Tor routes traffic through a decentralized network, making it very difficult to track your activity. 

ALT Privacy Tools cont Search Engines • DuckDuckGo (really)  DuckDuckGo doesn't track your searches or collect personal data! Unlike Google File Storage • CryptPad • ProtonDrive Web Extensions • UBlock Origin • Privacy Badger Too many can make tracking you easier!

ALT Best Practices Use different, unique passwords and enable 2FA to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts! Don't grant unnecessary permissions to apps on your phone. Only allow access to essential features. Review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms. Limit the info you share publicly (especially on LinkedIn!) Don't use public wifi to access sensitive info. You don't know how you might be tracked !

ALT Protest Safety Turn off FaceID/biometrics and location services on your phone when going to a protest. For extra security, get a burner and leave your main phone at home! If possible, turn off phones during protests or use faraday cages. Law enforcement can use stingrays to collect personal data by forcibly connecting to your phone!

ALT Digital Safety Toolkit. Combat state surveillance and protect yourself online! A red shield with a lock is pictured.

ALT Glory to the 30,000+ martyrs of Palestine. Refuse complicity in tech for genocide. Free Palestine. Background is a graphic of Palestine.