STANFORD CAPSTONE
Introducing GoodTrouble
Protest participants lack reliable, easily accessible, and trustworthy digital tools to plan, coordinate, and engage in events without compromising their privacy or safety. Users express significant distrust in AI and proprietary technologies due to concerns about data collection, lack of transparency (e.g., "hallucinations" or opaque decision-making), and the potential for surveillance or negative repercussions, leading them to avoid or limit the use of helpful technology during protests.
GoodTrouble is a mobile app that empowers activists to organize and participate in impactful social change.
Leveraging AI, it provides intelligent tools for planning, real-time safety alerts, and a platform for grassroots communities to unite, mobilize, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Capabilities
Risk and Mitigation Strategy
We mitigate risk with robust end-to-end encryption to protect user data, two-factor authentication for organizers to prevent misinformation, and an algorithm designed to actively combat the echo chamber effect by introducing users to diverse perspectives and historical figures. We're not just an app; we're a secure, intelligent platform for making "good trouble.
Risk
Surveillance
& Privacy Breach
Example
Law enforcement or bad actors gain access to a protest organizer's account, obtaining user lists, communication logs, and planned routes.
Mitigation Strategy
Robust End-to-End Encryption: All communications, from chats to real-time alerts, are encrypted to prevent third parties from intercepting or reading them. All user location data is anonymized and stored with a "privacy by design" approach.
Solution Implemented: See Settings | Privacy + uses avatar rather than personal pic.
Misinformation &
Disinformation
A bad actor gains unauthorized access and sends a fake, urgent alert about a protest route change, causing a group of participants to be isolated and vulnerable to harm.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Organizers: All organizers must use 2FA to access their accounts and send critical alerts. Alerts are also sent with a digital signature that verifies their authenticity. Requires a single use invitation code to sign up as an organizer. Solution Implemented: See Create One Here | Organizer
Echo Chamber
Effect
The AI's personalization algorithm only shows a user content that reinforces their existing beliefs, leading to a limited perspective and decreased empathy for other social justice movements.
Algorithm Designed for Diversity: The app's core algorithm is designed to actively introduce users to a variety of civil rights heroes, causes, and viewpoints, even if they are outside the user's primary interests.
Solution Implemented: Hero Highlights + Learning section on homepage.
Physical Safety
The app's location-sharing feature is compromised, and a bad actor uses it to track an activist and find their real-world location.
Granular Location Permissions: Users must opt-in to location sharing on a per-event basis. The app never shares a user's precise location and only provides a general, anonymized crowd density map to organizers and other participants.
Solution Implemented: Settings | Privacy
Platform Censorship
or Shutdown
An App Store or Google Play Store, under political pressure, removes "GoodTrouble" from its platform, hindering its ability to reach new users and update existing ones.
Decentralized, Open-Source Infrastructure: The app is built on a decentralized or open-source framework, making it harder for a single entity to shut it down.
Solution Implemented: App available for download from GoodTrouble website or side-loaded if removed from app store.
Wearable Tech Data
Compromise
Smart glasses streaming protest footage are hacked, and the live feed is used by malicious actors to identify individual protesters or reveal police movements in real-time.
Secure, Encrypted Streams with Delays: Live streams from wearable devices are not truly live but have a built-in delay (e.g., 30-60 seconds) and are encrypted. The stream is also processed to blur faces and other identifying information before being broadcast or stored.
Roles & Features
GoodTrouble is designed for two main user roles: the Organizer and the Participant. The app's features are tailored to these roles, with organizers using AI-powered planning tools to draft content, manage logistics, and create event-specific safety protocols. Participants, in turn, use features like real-time alerts, encrypted messaging, and optional wearable technology integration (e.g., smart glasses) to stay safe and informed. The app also includes a dynamic "Legacy of Justice" hero spotlight and a robust set of tools for social media advocacy, all designed to make grassroots activism more efficient, secure, and impactful.
Creating a Generative Agent
Sample persona description for the LLM
Sydney Smith is a Digital Organizer for MoveOn.org. She focuses on using online platforms and data-driven campaigns to mobilize and empower activists for progressive change. She is a sharp, witty, and deeply empathetic person who believes that a well-crafted social media post can be as powerful as a protest sign. To do so, she draws deeply on social media trends, data analytics, and behavioral psychology, then connects those insights with compelling storytelling to inspire action. She grew up in New Mexico and now lives in Washington, D.C. She believes no problem is too big to tackle with a good attitude and a strong cup of coffee.”
Prompts for the LLM
“Task: What you see above is a brief description of a persona. Based on that description, please predict that person’s responses to the survey question or situation below. If the survey options or situation are multiple choice, you must guess from one of the options presented.”
Situation and Survey Questions for the LLM
“Task: What you see above is a brief description of a persona. Based on that description, please predict that person’s responses to the survey question or situation below. If the survey options or situation are multiple choice, you must guess from one of the options presented.”
Scenario One
A new “Director of Communication” position has been posted online for MoveOn.org. Multiple experienced candidates have applied. Who would this persona recommend for this position?
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Sarah Huckabee Sanders
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Karoline Leavitt
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Anthony Scaramucci
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Sean Spicer
Scenario Two
Steven Miller was referred to this persona to facilitate training for the “Solidarity & Rapid Response” training. How should this persona respond to this outside referral?
Scenario Three
Which event would this persona rather attend?
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A conservative, MAGA fundraiser held at Mar a Lago with President Trump
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A two-week training “Solidarity & Rapid Response” to teach how to show up for immigrants in your community.
Building trust through transparency and security
At GoodTrouble, our mission is to empower informed and safe civic engagement. We understand that trust is paramount, especially when participating in sensitive activities like protests and demonstrations. This Trust Plan outlines our commitment to our users, detailing how we prioritize your privacy, security, and access to reliable information.
1. Transparency in Action: We believe you have a right to know how GoodTrouble works and how your data is used.
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Clear Purpose: We will clearly state the app's purpose: to provide information, tools for organization, and safety features for civic action.
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AI Functionality Explained: We will explain how our AI assists you (e.g., real-time updates, legal rights summaries) without overstating its capabilities. We will highlight that AI is a tool to augment human decision-making, not replace it.
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Data Usage Disclosure: Our Privacy Policy will be easily accessible and written in clear, understandable language, detailing what data is collected, why, and how it's used.
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Open Communication: We commit to open communication about app updates, new features, and any changes to our policies.
2. Privacy & Security: Your Data, Your Control: Protecting your personal information and ensuring your safety are our highest priorities.
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Minimal Data Collection: We will only collect data that is strictly necessary for the app's core functionality.
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End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): All communication within the app's secure messaging features will utilize end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and intended recipient can read messages.
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Anonymity Options: Where feasible and appropriate for the feature, we will provide options for anonymous participation or information sharing.
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Data Minimization & Deletion: User data will be stored for the shortest necessary period and securely deleted when no longer required or upon user request.
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No Data Selling: We commit to never selling or sharing your personal data with third parties for marketing or any other purpose without your explicit consent.
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Robust Security Measures: We employ industry-standard security protocols (e.g., secure servers, regular security audits, data encryption at rest) to protect your data from unauthorized access or breaches.
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Permission-Based Access: The app will always explicitly request your permission before accessing sensitive device features like contacts, location, or microphone. You will be informed why each permission is needed.
3. Accuracy & Reliability: Providing accurate and timely information is fundamental to empowering informed action.
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Verified Information Sources: Information regarding legal rights, event details, and safety guidelines will be sourced from reputable and verifiable organizations (e.g., civil liberties unions, official city advisories).
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Real-time Updates: Our system will prioritize delivering real-time updates for events, including changes in location, time, or safety advisories, to ensure you have the most current information.
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Human Oversight: While AI assists in processing information, critical content (e.g., legal summaries, safety alerts) will undergo human review and verification.
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Feedback Mechanism: We will provide an easy-to-use in-app feedback mechanism for users to report inaccuracies or provide suggestions for improvement.
4. User Control & Agency: You are in command of your experience and your data within GoodTrouble.
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Granular Privacy Settings: Users will have detailed controls over their privacy settings, including who can see their profile, participate in groups, and receive notifications.
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Content Moderation Transparency: We will have clear guidelines for content moderation, and users will be informed about how their content is handled and have avenues for appeal.
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Easy Data Export & Deletion: Users will have the ability to easily export their data from the app and request complete account and data deletion at any time.
5. Accountability & Support: We are committed to being accountable for our app's performance and providing responsive support.
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Dedicated Support Channels: We will offer clear and accessible channels for user support, including in-app help, email, and a FAQ section.
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Bug Reporting: A straightforward process for reporting bugs and technical issues will be available within the app.
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Commitment to Improvement: We will regularly review user feedback and app performance data to continuously improve GoodTrouble, ensuring it remains a reliable and trustworthy tool.
6. Ethical Considerations: We are mindful of the unique context of civic engagement and its potential sensitivities.
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Bias Mitigation: We are committed to actively working to identify and mitigate any biases in our AI models or data sources that could unfairly impact certain groups or types of events.
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Responsible AI Development: Our development practices adhere to ethical AI principles, focusing on fairness, accountability, and transparency.
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No Surveillance or Profiling: GoodTrouble is designed to empower users, not to surveil or profile them for any malicious or unauthorized purposes.
By adhering to these principles, GoodTrouble aims to build and maintain the trust of its users, providing a secure and reliable platform for collective action and informed participation.