Protests have been an integral part of civil society since ancient times and have often led to significant social change. But today's world is radically different from that of centuries past. With the advent of technology, people are increasingly dependent on digital systems for essential services like banking, transportation, communication, healthcare, food delivery, etc. So, what happens when these systems fail or experience disruptions due to natural calamities, cyberattacks, or political upheavals? How do protesters respond? In this article, we will discuss how new forms of protest emerge when digital systems control life functions.
One such form of protest is 'Hacktivism', where activists hack into government websites or corporate servers to make their voices heard.
Anonymous, a decentralized group of hackers, launched Operation Payback against companies involved in SOPA/PIPA legislation in 2012 by launching DDoS attacks. Similarly, during the Arab Spring protests in 2010–2011, Anonymous helped Egyptian citizens bypass government restrictions on access to social media platforms. Hacktivism can also involve leaking confidential data, as seen in cases involving WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden.
Another form of protest is the 'Digital Strike'. This involves deliberately crashing or slowing down digital systems through denial-of-service (DOS) attacks. During the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011, Anonymous launched Operation Payback Against The New World Order, which targeted banks and financial institutions. Such strikes can cause widespread disruption and force governments and corporations to address the grievances of protestors.
Social Media Boycotts are another way of expressing dissent. A notable example is DeleteFacebook, which saw users deleting their accounts after revelations about Cambridge Analytica's misuse of personal data. Social media boycotts have become more common amid concerns over privacy, censorship, and political bias. These boycotts can be effective when large numbers of people participate, but they may not always lead to long-term changes.
There are 'Cyber Protests', where activists use digital tools to organize physical gatherings.
Black Lives Matter used social media to mobilize nationwide protests against police brutality in 2020. Similarly, during the Hong Kong protests in 2019, demonstrators used messaging apps like Telegram and Facebook to plan rallies, avoid surveillance, and coordinate actions. Cyber protests also involve creating memes, hashtags, and other viral content to spread awareness.
New forms of protest emerge when digital systems control essential life functions. Hacktivism, Digital Strikes, Social Media Boycotts, and Cyber Protests are just a few examples of how people can resist oppressive regimes or unjust practices using technology.
These methods require careful planning, coordination, and risk assessment to avoid reprisals from authorities. It remains to be seen if these forms of protest will continue to evolve and shape our future societies.
What new forms of protest emerge when digital systems control essential life functions?
Protesters have been using increasingly innovative tactics to challenge authority since the dawn of time. In recent years, however, technological advances have given rise to an entirely new set of strategies that can be used to resist power structures in novel ways. One such form of protest is "hacktivism," where activists use digital tools to disrupt government or corporate websites or infrastructure.