Anonymity overview
Staying completely anonymous in today’s digital world can be challenging, especially in the United States where there are extensive records, surveillance and data collection by both government agencies and private companies. However, there are steps people can take to increase their anonymity and make it more difficult to be identified or tracked in Missouri specifically.
Why stay anonymous?
There are a variety of legitimate reasons why someone may wish to remain anonymous. Here are some examples:
- To avoid identification by abusive ex-partners or family members
- To avoid discrimination due to sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities, etc.
- To protect against identity theft or fraud
- To speak out anonymously against injustices
- For whistleblowers exposing unethical practices
- For political or artistic expression without fear of retribution
- To maintain privacy from mass surveillance
Anonymity allows people to exercise their rights to free speech, protest and dissent without fear of consequences. It can be an important tool for marginalized or at-risk groups and individuals. However, anonymity can also be misused by criminals, wrongdoers and trolls. Overall, anonymity has an important role in a free society, but must be balanced with accountability.
Challenges to anonymity in Missouri
There are some unique challenges to maintaining anonymity specifically in the state of Missouri:
- No laws prohibiting businesses or landlords from requiring government ID
- Real ID compliant driver’s licenses containing extensive personal data
- Lack of protections for political donations or library records
- Extensive use of automated license plate reader technology by police
- Strong open records laws allowing access to voter and property records
- Widespread use of facial recognition technology in major cities
- Limited legal protections for anonymous speech online or protests
Overcoming these challenges takes knowledge, effort and care to cover one’s digital footprints and identity markers. However, with thorough precautions, anonymity in Missouri is possible for motivated individuals.
Obtaining anonymous payment methods
Payment methods like credit cards and checks require personally identifying information, making it challenging to anonymously pay for goods and services. However, there are some options:
Prepaid debit cards
These can be purchased with cash at many retail stores and allow anonymous online purchases, bill payments, etc. However, options are limited compared to credit cards and your anonymity could be compromised through CCTV footage or transactions linking the card to your identity.
Gift cards
Purchased with cash, these can be used anonymously for purchases at specific retailers online or in-person. But the balance is limited and not as convenient as other payment methods.
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies allow for anonymous digital payments by obscuring your identity behind a digital wallet not tied to your identity. But you still need to convert non-anonymous funds into crypto using exchanges that require personal information.
Cash
Paying in-person with cash remains one of the best anonymous options. But usability is limited for online, remote, or large purchases. Transporting and storing large amounts also poses challenges.
Money orders/reloadable cards
These can be purchased with cash and used anonymously for bills, purchases, etc. But anonymity could be compromised through CCTV, tracking card usage, or linking the card to an identity.
Overall, no payment method is 100% anonymous but taking precautions allows anonymous transactions. Paying in untraceable cash remains the gold standard for anonymity.
Staying anonymous online
The internet can seem opposed to anonymity, with extensive tracking, surveillance and identity linking. However, there are steps Missouri residents can take:
Use a VPN
Routing your internet traffic through an encrypted virtual private network hides your IP address and online activity from surveillance or tracking. Avoid free VPNs that log/sell data. Paid VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN protect anonymity.
Browser protections
Enable privacy settings in browsers, use anonymous browsing modes, block cookies/trackers, clear cache/history frequently, avoid logging into accounts. Use privacy-focused browsers like Tor or Brave.
Search privately
Avoid Google and use more private search engines like DuckDuckGo or Startpage. Don’t search while logged into accounts linked to your identity.
Anonymous accounts
Never use real names/birthdays, avoid linking anonymous accounts to identified accounts, use burner email addresses. Generate anonymous usernames.
Secure connections
Only access anonymous accounts through secure networks or VPNs using encrypted protocols like HTTPS, SSL, TLS. Public Wi-Fi is risky.
No social media
Most social media requires real identity verification. Avoid Facebook, Twitter, Instagram if aiming for anonymity. Never post identifiable photos/info.
Taking precautions to browse anonymously takes more effort but can preserve privacy. For true anonymity, avoid identified online accounts and only use the internet anonymously.
Avoiding identification in-person
Anonymity in the physical world involves avoiding identification through records, surveillance, and personal interactions:
Limit record linkage
Avoid having IDs, leases, deeds, permits, bills linked to your name. Use anonymous payment methods. Don’t enroll in customer loyalty programs. Shred mail with identifying info.
Falsify information
When required to provide info to businesses/agencies, consider falsifying harmless details about age, birthday, name spelling, zip code, etc. to obscure connections. However falsifying info to government agencies is illegal.
Make transactions anonymously
Pay with cash whenever possible. Have items delivered to PO boxes instead of home/work addresses. Conduct business in-person without sharing contact information.
Keep low profile
Avoid attracting attention from neighbors, coworkers or community members who could identify you. Don’t share personal details needlessly. Politely refuse to be photographed or recorded to avoid facial recognition.
Beware surveillance
Watch for security cameras when entering/exiting anonymous locations and transactions. Cover face if needed. Leave cell phones behind to avoid tracking. Avoid passing license plate readers.
Change appearance
Alter hairstyles, facial hair, makeup, clothing styles associated with your identity. Avoid distinctive tattoos, accessories and items that allow you to be remembered.
Blending in with surroundings and not standing out is key for in-person anonymity. It requires vigilance of potential identifying information that could be tracked.
Anonymity tactics and precautions
Here are some additional precautions Missouri residents can take:
Secure devices
Don’t store identifying info on devices. Encrypt devices. Use Tails OS. Maintain device anonymity. Routinely reset to factory settings. Physically destroy when discarding old devices.
Use public computers
In libraries etc., avoid logging into any identifying accounts. Clear cookies/history after using. Connect via public Wi-Fi from a distance.
Establish anonymous identities
Create whole identities not linked to your actual identity, with anonymous email, mailing address, phone number, payment methods, etc. Never mix anonymous and real identities.
Anonymize your location
Avoid using home/work addresses or personally-linked locations. Consider PO boxes, abandoned addresses, public commercial spaces instead.
Keep information siloed
Don’t allow anonymous info or activities to be linked across identities or accounts. Use different anonymized identities with different groups or activities.
Tell no one
Anonymity relies on secretive precautions. Never reveal to anyone the details of your anonymous accounts, identities, or activities.
Leave minimal trail
Don’t leave behind receipts, papers, personal belongings, DNA, fingerprints, scents, or any breadcrumbs allowing anonymous activities to be traced.
Be patient
Trying too much too quickly can expose your identity. Start small until anonymity methods are perfected. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
With vigilance, care, time and patience, Missouri residents can successfully increase their anonymity and privacy bit by bit using the methods outlined above.
Potential risks
While increased anonymity has benefits, there are also risks:
Difficulty accessing resources
Anonymity can block access to social services, healthcare, education requiring identification. Anonymity may deprive you of rights.
Social isolation
Anonymity can cut you off from supportive communities and relationships that enrich life. Human connections may suffer.
Accountability avoidance
True anonymity absolves you of consequences, accountability and responsibilities in society. Irresponsible acts cannot be traced back to perpetrators.
Time/effort required
Rigorous anonymity requires significant sacrifices of time, convenience, options and mental effort. Constant vigilance is exhausting.
Money laundering concerns
Banking and financial monitoring regulations aim to prevent money laundering by ensuring identities are verified for large transactions. Strict anonymity could raise red flags.
Government suspicion
Those desiring anonymity are often targets of increased government surveillance and suspicion. Anonymity alone does not equal privacy.
While anonymity has advantages, ethical individuals must weigh whether the benefits outweigh the costs. For many upright citizens, moderate privacy protections suffice without complete anonymity. As with all tools, anonymity itself is ethically neutral – the intent behind its use determines whether it is used for good or ill.
Is living 100% anonymously realistic?
Achieving 100% anonymity likely unrealistic in modern society:
Records are unavoidable
Birth records, taxes, census data, voter registration, driving records, etc. are nearly impossible to fully erase. You likely can’t live “off the grid” in Missouri without eventually creating some identifying records.
Surveillance is widespread
CCTV cameras, police database tracking, license plate readers, facial recognition, cellular location records, financial reporting requirements all make total anonymity extremely difficult.
Connections raise risk
It is hard to cut all in-person connections without discovery of identity. Real world relationships often reveal identifying details.
Slips will happen
Living 100% anonymously requires perfection. Tiny mistakes can unravel anonymity. Stomach flu that prompts an ER visit could be enough.
Unforeseen events
Situations like accidents, fires, crimes, medical crises almost necessitate revealing identity. First responders require identifying info.
Legal limitations
Laws prevent anonymity for many necessary activities like driving, flying, banking, crossing borders, filing taxes, etc. Authorities can compel identification if deemed in public interest.
Motivations questioned
Attempts at being 100% anonymous will raise suspicions about underlying motives and intentions, rightfully or not, drawing unwanted attention.
For most, pursuing 100% anonymity is neither practical nor wise. But with care, important aspects of identity and activity can be kept anonymous, allowing meaningful privacy.
Conclusion
Achieving full anonymity in Missouri is very difficult but not impossible with rigorous precautions, sacrifices and vigilance. For many citizens, moderate privacy protections are wiser than extremes. Any steps taken towards anonymity must carefully balance benefits and risks. Anonymity itself is ethically neutral, depending on why it is pursued. While 100% anonymity is likely unrealistic, Missouri residents have many tools to selectively increase anonymity and protect privacy where appropriate in our increasingly transparent information age if judiciously applied.