Anonymous: The Hand of the Internet

As popular revolutions and protests are gaining momentum throughout the world, there is one group particularly involved in all of them: Anonymous. The Guy Fawkes masks pervade every gathering, every riot, every protest. They're not only a sense of anonymity, but also of community and activism, spreading the word and ideals of anonymous. While still being a relatively new group, Anonymous defies all attempts at characterization and normalcy. The web-based hive mind of the Internet does not seem to have a hierarchy, a member list, or any defining characteristic of a organized group. No, Anonymous is more of a face for those on the Internet (cyber activists, vigilantes, and hackers) to assume and use for their own goals, often for freedom of speech and rights. But with this decentralized stance,one wonders how they can be effective at all?

Like everything else about Anonymous, this is the unofficial flag for the group.

They can. Anonymous has proven over the few years that it has been active, that it can and will act out against those who oppose them. Check out the Wikipedia page for anonymous. Under the activities sections there are more than 30 separate operations that were performed against various corporations, governments, and groups Anonymous views as corrupt and/or harmful to the freedom of the people. As you look closely, many things about these operations or raids become clear. Often they are associated with separate arms of Anonymous, and almost always have an activist, hacktivist, or vigilante air about them. Examples of internet vigilantism include the arrest of Chris Forcand, a convicted child predator who was under surveillance by Anonymous members, who then reported him to the police after receiving sexual propositions from him under the assumption that they were minors. This as well as the recent, direct threat against the Mexican drug cartel Los Zetas for supposedly kidnapping one of Anonymous's members. Threatened with the leaking of names/personal information of those involved, the cartel released the hostage supposedly involved with anonymous. With these examples of vigilantism also come examples of hacking "For the Lulz" and of activist support. As you can probably tell, Anonymous is totally chaotic.

Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street protest wear Guy Fawkes masks in Zuccotti Park in New York on Oct. 10. (Andrew Burton/Associated Press) #

 

 But this supposed chaoticness often organizes itself into scarily cohesive groups when they feel the need arises. Example: The Arab Spring. Anonymous launched several operations to aid the popular uprising in the Middle East and  North Africa, including Operation Tunisia, and Operation Egypt. In both these cases Anonymous took down government sites during the protests, and in both cases the sites were down until the protests had ousted the government. Apart from Anonymous's obvious technical help, they also advised many rebels on how to circumnavigate their government's censors using proxies, as well as circulating information as well as protesting advice. Arguably, one could say Anonymous helped give them the tools to revolt, but that may be going a bit too far.

But while Anonymous has been growing on the ever-increasing demonstration front, they have really gained momentum with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Support has been forthcoming from Anonymous, and often they highlight scenes of police brutality by publicizing it on the web. But this seems to be their only sticking point right now, as a messenger. Anonymous spreads the word about the protests, they pass the information on across the web. But as for the threats, the promises of retaliation against the injustice and corruptness of the police, nothing has happened. But nothing needs to happen. Yet. Right now, Anonymous is doing the most good by publicizing the movement, making it known the world over and spreading it's message. That is what will help the movement grow. But once the movement has grown, then it is time for Anonymous to do what they have done in the past: Make a statement.

A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask look on as a Carabinieri police vehicle burns during a demonstration by the "Indignant" group in Rome, on October 15, 2011. (Reuters/Stefano Rellandini) # 

Anonymous has proven that they can make the media pay attention, make governments pay attention. But what would really help them the most would be for them to make the world pay attention with a massive event, a massive protest. If they could pull off anything like the movie V for Vendetta, a movie they idolize so much it's borderline creepy, then there would be no stopping the momentum of the popular will. But at this point that seems nowhere near possible. Anonymous has yet to do any significant works in the movement, apart from the previously mentioned role as messenger. So do they have a trick up their sleeve? Are they waiting to play their cards? Or is anything going to happen at all? Only time will tell, but it's any indication from their slogan, time might prove it true.

 

 

We Are Anonymous

We Are Legion

We Do Not Forgive

We Do Not Forget

Expect Us!