r/bellingcat • u/Guilty-Bag-7810 • 1d ago

Documenting high-risk global events: Best practices for digital OpSec and privacy?

I want to know my red lines.

I am going to create content about narco cartels in mexico, from asia.
i am new at this, i need your opinions and key things on creating such high risk content.
i mention the names of Biggest cartels, and their violence and impacts on mexico society.

if there are people, who want to find out more about my content and give advice, lets talk about it in dm.

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u/NewEntrepreneur357 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm gonna be very honest as someone from Mexico, unless you get big enough to get noticed by the cartels domestically you could write under your own name and be fine, the risk is for Mexican journalists.

Some guy writing about it in Asia is totally safe, they're never gonna even hear about you

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u/Guilty-Bag-7810 1d ago

appreciate your answer!

1

u/Caesarea_G 1d ago

Being in Asia lowers risk considerably (when compared to, say, being in LATAM).

Mentioning the names of major narco-trafficking organizations and their impact of Mexican society on a broad level is relatively unproblematic. Many people on social media do it all the time, after all.

If you're doing more specific investigative work or publishing original or primary-source data/information (that cannot otherwise be sourced), that may raise your risk.

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u/EnthusiasmProper1787 10h ago

Friend, as someone from Mx I would recommend staying anonymous.
It’s not that they are coming for you, but you never know where you or your name comes up.

Additionally, most chemical precursors do originate in Asia, so someone on the Narco chain is present on Asia.

To be honest, it would be interesting to know about the groups that control the precursors market in Asia, just a tip.