Out of the five characters I've had permadeathed so far, only one died legitimately because I failed as the player. two died while hacking drones on the edge of their hacking range, one got randomly attacked by riot drones (the ones armed with machine guns) while minding his own business, and the other was flagged as a terrorist at a checkpoint despite never going through the checkpoint (The check point with a bunch of mounted turrets, heavy enemy personal and three star wanted level). The only guy I've had permadeath legit was because I was in a mission that went to a story driven shootout and my mate only had a paintball gun an I chose to run which wasn't the right response as five guns filled him with holes.