Digital Tools to Keep You Safe: A Guide for Sex Workers

Sex work has always adapted to the times. And in 2025, digital tools aren’t just helpful — they’re essential. Whether you’re working online, in person, or both, there are smart, discreet and often free apps and platforms that can make your job safer, smoother, and more secure.

This guide breaks down the digital essentials that every sex worker should know about — from booking apps to buddy systems — and explains how to use them in a way that protects your privacy and peace of mind.

Let’s tech up.

1. Encrypted Messaging: Keep Conversations Confidential

Privacy isn’t just about discretion — it’s a safety issue. If you’re discussing bookings, rates, or personal safety plans, you need apps that protect your messages from being intercepted or leaked.

Top picks:

• Signal: Fully encrypted, free, and lets you set messages to disappear after a set time. No data is stored on their servers.
• Telegram: Allows for “secret chats” with self-destruct timers. Good for client comms or peer support groups.
• Session: A newer app that doesn’t require a phone number at all — great for maintaining anonymity.

Avoid using standard SMS or mainstream DMs like Instagram or WhatsApp for sensitive convos, especially with clients.

2. Anonymous Browsing: Stay Hidden While You Work

If you’re promoting, searching, or posting from the same device you use for your personal life, you’re leaving a digital trail.

Here’s how to cover your tracks:

• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): Tools like ProtonVPN or NordVPN mask your IP address and location.
• Use private search engines: Like DuckDuckGo or StartPage to avoid trackers.
• Consider using a second browser (e.g. Firefox for work, Chrome for personal).
• Clear cookies and browser history regularly.

This helps protect against doxxing and keeps your work persona completely separate from your real-life identity.

3. Booking + Screening Tools: Vet Clients Safely

Having systems in place for screening is vital. These platforms help you store info, spot red flags, and protect yourself from bad actors.

• NUM (National Ugly Mugs – UK) & ClientEye: A lifesaving resource for UK-based sex workers. Lets you report dangerous clients and check others.
• VerifyHim: Offers screening based on user-submitted data about clients (more common in the US, but worth checking).
• Switter (if revived): Decentralised and community-moderated — sometimes used to share safety tips and screen clients.
• Google Voice or VoIP numbers: Create a free work phone number you can ditch if needed.

Set your own screening criteria (e.g. photo ID, hotel confirmation, a deposit) and stick to it — don’t let pressure override your process.

4. Emergency + Check-in Apps: Don’t Work Alone

Even if you’re independent, you don’t have to be unprotected. These apps help you stay connected to your support network — without alerting clients or drawing attention.

• Life360: Great for location sharing with a trusted person. Shows real-time movement and battery life.
• Circle of 6: Lets you quickly alert a group of people if something feels off.
• BeSafe: Includes fake call features and emergency SOS buttons.

Many workers set up a “safe call” — where you text or call someone before and after bookings. Some use coded emojis like 🍕 or 🧃 to indicate things are okay.

5. Money + Payments: Keep It Safe and Separate

Keep your finances secure and separate from your personal accounts to protect your identity and track your earnings.

• Revolut / Monzo / Starling (UK): Set up a second account under your work name or alias.
• Cash App / PayPal (with caution): Some allow name masking — just make sure to check their sex work-related terms of service.
• Cryptocurrency wallets: For high-anonymity payments, if you’re comfortable with the tech.

Always record your income and keep backups of receipts — even if you’re operating cash-in-hand. This helps you budget, protect yourself legally, and plan for the future.

6. Content Safety: Watermarking + Storage

If you do online content, protect yourself from leaks, theft or unwanted exposure.

• Canva Pro or InShot: Add discreet watermarks or logos to your content.
• Google Drive / Dropbox: Secure cloud storage — always keep backups.
• OnlyFans Vault / Fansly Media Manager: For managing subscriber content.
• Photo metadata scrubbers: Like Image Scrubber or EXIF Purge remove hidden location and device data before posting.

Never upload raw files straight from your phone — edit and clean your content first.

7. Bonus Tools to Stay Organised + Empowered

Sometimes the best safety comes from structure.

• Notion / Trello / Airtable: Create a work dashboard to manage bookings, notes, client reviews and income.
• Google Calendar (with reminders): Time-blocking for sessions, prep, breaks and aftercare.
• Password managers (e.g. Bitwarden, 1Password): Keep login details secure and strong.

These platforms help you treat your work like the business it is — and that’s empowering.

The Takeaway

Digital safety isn’t about being paranoid — it’s about staying ahead. With the right tools, you can protect your identity, screen clients effectively, stay connected to your peers, and feel more in control.

Start small. Pick one tool today — whether it’s a VPN, a safe-call system, or an encrypted app — and build from there.

For more advice on digital safety, sex work empowerment and mental health, visit the Vivastreet blog.