The Internet constantly changes the ways in which society acts. Previously, we have discussed the Internet's relation to news, social media, and even individual rights. The age of the Internet has also brought forth a new form of activism or so-dubbed hacktivism. As the name tries to imply this is a form of activism based on hacking of computer networks. This idea remains something ambiguous and not very clearly defined but it is something real and a part of our society today. Most of the time this hacktivism revolves around the subversive uses of systems for political or social agendas.
(WikiLeaks logo from their website)
WikiLeaks is an example of Internet activism in action. Driven by their slogan, "we open governments" WikiLeaks has become an online, international, journalistic organization that publishes secret information and news leaks. This was born by a desire to inform citizens of their governments' actions in a sort of reverse Big Brother sense. WikiLeaks also spurred a number of spin-offs with similar goals and ideas, highlighting the way in which Internet trends and movements become popularized and garner momentum.
(WikiLeaks logo from their website)
While WikiLeaks is one example of hacktivism through the release of information the organization as a whole still takes a very passive stance. Anonymous is an Internet group that supports anti-censorship, anti-surveillance, and other forms of Internet activism. It a large very decentralized network of individuals that has been responsible for a number of hacks and public stunts over the years. The style behind their operations often convince some that their hacktivism is more of Internet vigilantism than it is activism. Furthering this notion is the fact that Anonymous sports stylized Guy Fawkes masks which represented a revolutionary struggle against a totalitarian government (see link for more info- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/).
Anonymous began on the on the website 4chan, an anonymous image board website. Soon Anons mobilized to act together as a loose-knit community. Over years, Anonymous evolved into an enormous hacktivist organization that over the years has targeted Chinese security firms, the Church of Scientology, the Westboro Baptist Church, terrorist organizations, and more. Anonymous aims to criticize, expose, and attack anyone who it deems to be at fault. It is not governed by any formal structure which is why it is so unique and distinct from anything in the past. The Internet has brought with it a new form of communication and organization. Anonymous is not restricted by geopolitics, sovereignty, the limitations of democracy, or any other barriers that inhibit the actions of state or non-state organizations. It is a fluid-like community with no concrete views on anything.
Understanding the unique position that Internet hacktivism has created is important for when looking to the future. Policies designed to combat cyber-terrorism and to ensure cyber-security will have to also address the issue of hacktivism. Aside from being discussed a security issue, hacktivim also poses a new venue for protest and expression.
Nish, I'm very intrigued by the examples of hacktivism that you brought up throughout this blog post. It's a topic that has always interested me, especially with the recent national controversies over WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden. There's definitely a debate out there between whether or not hackers should be able to do what they do without being investigated, but if they are exposing government secrets I feel like that's somewhat an example of freedom of speech and expression. Many hackers who are chased by the FBI usually face contempt and sedition charges, but usually they have a good reason for why they are extracting certain information. Alternatively, these hackers that we hear about in Japan and China who are messing with companies such as Sony and PlayStation by stealing money and jeopardizing customers' security. These sorts of activities definitely warrant prosecution and criminal charges. All in all, the general idea of hacktivism is becoming quite prevalent not only in the Internet sphere but in multiple parts of our society.
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