Women escaping an abusive relationship should have better tools to help them protect their online privacy and security, say leaders of a new cybersecurity project led by the University of Surrey.

The AP4L (Adaptive PETs to Protect & emPower People during Life Transitions) project is investigating how people going through four types of life-changing transitions – relationship breakdown, living with cancer, leaving the military, or LGBTQ+-related changes – can be better protected online.

The project has developed secure online tools:

• Security Bubble: a secure communication platform to support people in vulnerable situations, such as those in abusive relationships.

• Transition Guardians: a plug-in that provides real-time protection for users when they are online, particularly on social media channels. Transition Guardians raise an alert if they predict that the user is about to do something that might cause them harm.

• Risk Playground: a simulated scenarios platform that allows users to develop a real understanding of the implications of their transition through a game-like exploration.

Professor Nishanth Sastry, project lead from the University of Surrey's School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, said:

“A large part of our daily lives now takes place online, but this also exposes some of our most vulnerable moments to online threats and harmful behaviour – sometimes from those we know. The AP4L project is about restoring control and privacy for people facing challenging life transitions, offering them tools to protect their privacy during these difficult times.”

The products produced by the project have been informed by nearly 400 participants in surveys and workshops conducted by 40 people going through significant life changes.

Awarded £3.4 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the AP4L project is supported by various partners, including charities committed to this cause.

Bill Howe, No Hate Speech Services Manager at Stop Hate UK, said:

"Unfortunately, online hate crime is prevalent in today’s digital society, especially when perpetrators feel emboldened to cause harm behind the anonymity of a screen. The introduction of these online tools marks a major leap forward in safeguarding vulnerable individuals at a pivotal time in their lives. We applaud this project and look forward to seeing its positive impact across communities.”

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