by Li Tang

Created on: June 25, 2010

This topic of technology versus terrorism is a very interesting one. It assumes that technology and terrorism are two different entities that are mutually exclusive. We assume that terrorists cannot use technology.

The reality is however, rather different. Terrorism and technology are not at war with each other. In fact, they seem to be perfect bed-mates. Recent studies show that terrorist groups happen to be some of the most advanced when it comes to utilizing the internet and other technologies for their causes – ‘Jihadist’ websites are notoriously effective at recruiting people to the cause.

Why is this so? I believe the answer lies in the similarity between the way the terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and the internet are structured. Contrary to popular belief, organizations like Al-Qaeda are not monolithic blocks commanded from a top-down fashion by a charismatic individual. In reality, organizations like these are a collection of highly dedicated individuals. The glue between the individuals is an ideology. Figures like Osama set the dream and then leave it to their followers to turn the dream into reality. At most, the likes of an Osama suggests a mission and provides a bit of funding and training and links between members in different countries. The rest of the work is done by the individuals. Organizations like this are hard to pin down because there’s no head or tail – shoot Osama and Al-Qaeda will still carry on.

Organisations that are structured like this become even more effective on the web, which is by its very nature has no official structure. You can put up a website on one computer and pull it down the next day. If you look at the way the pornography industry has managed to cross borders into countries which ban the stuff, you’ll have a clear understanding of how the world-wide-web has the ability to get under the skin of the most die-hard regulators.

For an organization like Al-Qaeda, the Internet is a God-send. You can set up a website to recruit people and then, when the authorities catch onto you, you quickly take down the website and move on. You don’t have to build a huge infrastructure because everything you need can be found in the virtual world.

Of course nobody will ever push for heavy regulation of the internet. We’ve reached a stage where we, as audiences like interacting with media rather than being passive recipients. The internet has also helped plenty of small businesses to compete with larger ones.

Ultimately, we have to understand that terrorism and technology are merely techniques and tools for people. The way to put a stop to terrorism is to counteract the ideology that drives people to become terrorists. Ironically the best tool to do that is the internet. 

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