Cyberactivism in Syria: Emergence, Transformation, Potentials, and Limitations

Year 2024, Volume: 20 Issue: 48, 239 - 263, 23.08.2024

Iyad Helwani

https://doi.org/10.17752/guvenlikstrtj.1463912

Abstract

The rise of the cyber domain and social media platforms has profoundly impacted the socio-political landscape in Syria, enabling cyber-activism to emerge as a potent force against authoritarian regimes. This qualitative research examines the evolution, impact, and challenges Syrian cyberactivists face, drawing from professional reports, interviews, and scholarly literature. While online platforms empower activists by facilitating mobilization and information dissemination, activists also face significant obstacles, including surveillance, censorship, and cyberattacks within a statecontrolled digital environment. Despite these challenges, cyber-activism in Syria played a crucial role in shaping narratives, fostering solidarity, challenging the regime, influencing international perceptions, and highlighting the transformative potential of the cyber domain in repressive contexts.

Keywords

Cyberactivism, Hacktivist, Syria, Cyber Conflict, Arap Spring

Suriye’de Siber Aktivizm: Ortaya Çıkışı, Dönüşümü, Potansiyeli ve Sınırlılıkları

Abstract

Siber alanın ve sosyal medya platformlarının yükselişi, Suriye’deki sosyopolitik ortamı derinden etkilemiş ve siber aktivizmin otoriter rejimler karşı büyük bir güç olarak ortaya çıkmasını sağlamıştır. Bu nitel araştırma, profesyonel raporlardan, mülakatlardan ve akademik literatürden yararlanarak Suriyeli siber aktivistlerin gelişimini evrimini ve yaşadıkları zorlukları incelemektedir. Çevrimiçi platformlar harekete geçmeyi ve bilginin yayılmasını kolaylaştırırken, aktivistler aynı zamanda devlet kontrolündeki bir dijital ortam içinde gözetim, sansür ve siber saldırılar gibi büyük engellerle de karşılaşmaktadır. Yaşanan bu zorluklara rağmen, Suriye’deki siber aktivizm anlatıları şekillendirmede, dayanışmayı güçlendirmede, rejime meydan okumada ve uluslararası alandaki algıları etkilemede önemli bir rol oynamış ve baskıcı ortamlarda siber alanın dönüştürücü potansiyeline dikkat çekmiştir.

Keywords

Siber Aktivizm, Hacktivist, Suriye, Siber çatışma, Arap Baharı

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