Oklahomans Worried About Digital Footprint Following Roe v. Wade Opinion

The broad interpretation of ‘aiding and abetting’ has Oklahomans questioning how to go about discussing abortion and finding information. 

The Oklahoma ACLU told News 9 there is still a lot of unknown. Many people don’t know if their search history will come back to hurt them.  

“One of the things we continue to hear from people is ‘I just want to have these conversations I’m not seeking an abortion,’” said Tamya Cox-Touré, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma ACLU. 

Oklahomans are concerned about gathering information as trigger laws go into effect. 

“They say, 'I just want to know more about these laws and how they impact me personally,’” said Cox-Touré. 

She added that many are left with more questions and no answers. 

“The legislature did not define what ‘aid and abet’ is and it is even difficult to find ‘aid and abet’ in the criminal statutes, people are really at a loss,” she said. 

The Executive Director said everyone should be aware of how they are interacting online. 

“We just don’t know how far the district attorneys, or the attorney general will go to prosecute people for assisting or seeking an abortion,” said Cox-Touré. 

It’s best to use encrypted messaging apps like ‘Telegram’ or ‘Signal.’ 

“Many of us who have never really had to think about our digital footprint are really thinking about what it means to be on the internet,” she said. 

The ACLU is advising people to delete apps like ‘Flo’ that tracks your menstrual cycle and then sells the data. 

“An app like ‘Clue’ is a good one, but we know there are other apps that are out there that are helpful,” she said. 

Cox-Touré said it is also important to be cautious when you search for things online. Browse in an incognito window and use a VPN to protect your information. 

“A digital footprint is left every time someone types something into Google,” she said. 

For more tips the ACLU recommends turning to the digital defense fund.