Not yet reviewed by a lawyer. Sourced information, to be confirmed.
Signal groups: copy-paste templates¶
Terms used here: the groups (public, airlock, trusted), the roles (HR, keyholder…) and the vocabulary.
Replace what is in square brackets.
Why a pinned message is not enough
In Signal, a disappearing message is automatically unpinned and removed when its timer expires (1 day, 1 week…).1 Moreover, someone who joins the group later does not see messages pinned before they arrived.1
This is why the group description (permanent, visible to all members and upon join request) must contain the disclaimer and vital rules. The detailed charter is shared and validated in the airlock group before admission to the trusted group.
Description of a trusted group¶
Group name: [MVT]-[CTY]-[ID]-General
Group description (permanent and short, about 230 characters):
Mutual aid, logistics and activist info. No incitement to violence or property damage; nothing illegal. No real names, addresses, faces or screenshots. Disappearing messages on. Charter agreed in airlock.
Description of a sub-group¶
Group name: [MVT]-[CTY]-[ID]-[TOPIC]
Group description:
[TOPIC]: mutual aid and logistics. No incitement to violence or damage; nothing illegal. Confidential group (not mentioned elsewhere). No real names, faces or screenshots. Disappearing messages: [1 d].
Full charter¶
To be agreed in the airlock group before admission to the trusted group.
CHARTER — read before posting
1. GROUP NAMES
MVT-CITY-ID-TOPIC, e.g. MVT-CTY-4K9-Medic. The ID, drawn at random, is shared by the trusted group and its sub-groups. When the family is replaced, the ID changes. Only join a vetted group on a direct addition by an HR member or a keyholder you know, using your username; never through a group link or QR code. No airlock group gives access to a vetted group on its own.
2. PURPOSE AND CONTENT
Strictly informational, logistics, and mutual aid group.
What we post: practical info, mutual aid, logistics, public information.
What we never post: calls or incitement to violence, damage, threats (even as a joke), plans for illegal action. These messages are evidence: written threats are punishable, and so is taking part in a group that prepares violence or damage, even if nothing happens.
Sensitive matters are discussed in person, without phones.
No voice notes. Clean links (nothing after the "?"). Blurred faces.
Need help: name someone (@name). Emergency: 15 or 112.
3. ANONYMITY AND ROLES
Your activist name, here and in person. No real names, no addresses, no photos of faces, no screenshots. Hidden number, disappearing messages on.
Label: your role in this group (Medic, Legal, Build, Logistics, Comms…), to set again in each group. Never an organising role (HR, secretary, keyholder) as a label.
4. IF YOU ARE ARRESTED OR LOSE YOUR PHONE
In police custody, you have the right to remain silent: talk about no one. You will be removed from all groups as a precaution: nothing personal. Don't discuss the arrest here. Tell your secretary or HR as soon as possible, in person or through a comrade, to come back.
5. IF THE GROUP DISAPPEARS OR YOU ARE REMOVED
Don't panic, don't create a new group on your own. Don't leave a group on your own: wait to be told, otherwise you can't be re-invited. Go to the fallback meeting point agreed in person, or contact HR. Decline any invitation from someone you don't know.
6. TO LEAVE
Leave the group, then delete the chat, saved files and screenshots. Tell HR.
Doubts about someone: talk privately to HR, who decide on removals. Never accuse anyone in the group.
The legal framework behind the charter: a written threat is punishable by 6 months in prison and a €7,500 fine, 3 years and €45,000 for a death threat;2 knowingly taking part in a group that prepares violence or damage, by one year and €15,000.3 With minors in the group, see minors in the groups.
Sources¶
Each note links to the source of the information. Most sources are in French. Laws change: check the date of the source and, if in doubt, ask a lawyer.
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Signal — Signal Pinned Messages · AI-sourced on · awaiting human check ↩↩
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French Criminal Code, article 222-17 (Légifrance) · AI-sourced on · awaiting human check ↩
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French Criminal Code, art. 222-14-2 (group formed to prepare violence or damage) · AI-sourced on · awaiting human check ↩