Emergency Privacy Push: Guy Kawasaki and EFF Release Free Signal Guide Amid Surveillance Fears

Breaking: Free Signal Guide Now Available in English and Spanish

In a urgent move to bolster digital privacy, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and former Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki have released a free ebook guide on using the encrypted messaging app Signal. The guide, titled Everybody Has Something to Hide: Why and How to Use Signal to Preserve Your Privacy, Security, and Well-Being, is now downloadable in EPUB format in both English and Spanish.

You can download it directly from the EFF website. The publication comes as global governments ramp up surveillance measures and data breaches become routine.

What’s Inside the Guide

The comprehensive manual walks users through Signal’s core features—end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and secure group chats. It also explains why Signal is widely considered the gold standard for private communication.

Background: Signal’s Role in Modern Privacy — The app is used by journalists, activists, and everyday people who need to keep conversations away from prying eyes.

“Privacy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. This guide shows anyone how to protect themselves from mass surveillance,” said Kawasaki, a longtime EFF donor and privacy advocate.

The guide is particularly timely. In recent weeks, law enforcement agencies worldwide have pushed for weakened encryption, and social media platforms continue to harvest user data.

EFF’s Existing Resources Expanded

The EFF has long offered two concise guides on its Surveillance Self-Defense site: a beginner’s tutorial (How to Use Signal) and a guide on Managing Signal Groups. These complement the new ebook and provide quick-start instructions for urgent situations.

EFF staff emphasized that the new guide “fills a gap for those who need deeper context and motivation to make the switch.”

Background: Why Signal Matters Now

Signal, developed by the Signal Foundation, uses advanced encryption that even its creators cannot break. Unlike other messaging apps, it collects minimal metadata—only a phone number and the date of account creation.

Governments in multiple countries have attempted to ban or backdoor the app. Advocates argue that strong encryption protects free speech, especially under oppressive regimes.

The Author’s Credibility

Guy Kawasaki is not just a tech celebrity—he’s a former Apple fellow and venture capitalist. His history with EFF as a donor and supporter lends weight to the guide’s authority. EFF itself is a leading digital rights organization with decades of legal and policy experience.

What This Means for You

This free resource lowers the barrier to strong privacy practices. Anyone—from a journalist covering a protest to a parent protecting their child’s data—can now access a clear, expert-written guide.

The guide’s release signals a renewed urgency: privacy threats are accelerating, and action is required now. If you use a smartphone, you should download and share this ebook.

• Download the guide in English or Spanish (EPUB format).
• Share it with colleagues, family, and friends who value their privacy.
• Visit EFF’s Surveillance Self-Defense site for additional Signal tips.

As Kawasaki wrote in the book: “Everybody has something to hide—from hackers, advertisers, and governments.” This guide is your shield.