Digital activism and AI-Based Targeting Systems.

Digital activism and AI-Based Targeting Systems.

Your phone that was once your ally is now your enemy with hacked telecommunication systems, location tracking and social media meta-data collection.

How Digital Activists are inadvertently placing activists in the “war zone” in danger.

As peace activists, artists, and pacifists committed to non-violence and human rights, we must be aware of the risks posed by using social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. These platforms, owned by Meta, are often involved in the collection and analysis of user data. By participating in groups or sharing messages on these platforms, you may inadvertently expose yourself, your contacts and social eco-system to AI-based targeting systems.

The following article is more opinion and requires further investigation.

Digital activism and AI-Based Targeting Systems.

Your phone that was once your ally is now your enemy with hacked telecommunication systems, location tracking and social media meta-data collection.

Israel, through its AI system known as Habsora, uses data collected from social media to identify influencers, activists, and artists. This data is used to make decisions about targeted disruptions or even assassinations. Habsora and other tools like Lavender, developed by Unit 8200 (Israel's intelligence branch), analyse data from WhatsApp groups and other digital interactions to label individuals as potential threats, even if you are not involved in violent activities. If you are identified as an influencer node collated across many platforms your “credit score” of connections and influence places you and your social eco-system in danger.

They turn social media platforms into tools for surveillance and violence, putting entire communities at risk.

“There have been many activists, journalists and nodes of influence killed in targeted bombing, analysis done of bombed building in Gaza show no known militants or resistance infrastructure however nodes of influence or connectors were identified. WhatsApp API rented by Analysts from Meta at a price. Meta, like Alphabet or X are data brokers usually with Zionist backing, the trinity of Meta apps is used to collect and collate data in such away it can be sold/rented. X formerly known as Twitter has ended the use of selling users data via an API. Like China Social credits on a sliding scale the more connections and influence ie your digital social eco-system the higher change of disruption or elimination.”

As peace activists, it's essential to recognise the dangers posed by AI-driven warfare and advocate for accountability and ethical use of technology in conflict zones and not to use AI technology target and disrupt environmental, human rights and social activists.

Israeli forces have struck over 22,000 targets, using advanced technology and AI to justify the mass killing of Palestinian civilians. The use of AI in warfare allows algorithms to process vast amounts of intelligence data faster than any human, sending target information to military units via apps like "Pillar of Fire", used by Israeli commanders. This system enables continuous bombardment of Gaza, disproportionately punishing the Palestinian civilian population. The reliance on AI in military operations raises serious concerns about accountability. These systems, like Israel’s Habsora and Lavender, are already automating critical aspects of warfare. Eventually, they will allow for autonomous systems that can identify and kill targets with minimal human input, making future conflicts faster and deadlier while obscuring responsibility for civilian deaths. One disturbing example is the Israeli military's approval of airstrikes that have killed hundreds of civilians in attempts to eliminate a single Hamas commander. In some cases, entire families are wiped out, with 90% of those killed being unarmed residents, mostly women and children.

They turn social media platforms into tools for surveillance and violence, putting entire communities at risk.

Lavender, an AI-powered system, identifies targets in Gaza by tracking social media, including WhatsApp contacts/groups and hacked communications systems. It has been reported that Israel is killing people simply for being in the same WhatsApp group as a suspected militant. This data is often shared through Meta platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, raising serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law and privacy. Meta's involvement in sharing data with Israeli forces undermines its claims of protecting user privacy through encryption. Systems like "Where’s Daddy?" track targets, even within family homes, using smart phone triangulation, contributing to the automation of the military’s “kill chain.” These AI systems categorise individuals based on data, such as their gender, age, movement, and social networks, to determine their likelihood of being a militant, often using biased or inaccurate information. Such practices recall the indiscriminate targeting methods of the U.S. drone wars, where military-aged males were labelled enemies based on metadata. These AI-driven systems raise grave ethical questions about the role of automation in warfare, the biases inherent in the data, and the moral authority given to algorithms. They turn social media platforms into tools for surveillance and violence, putting entire communities at risk.

These AI weapons are means tested in real live situations and like Pegasus, rolled out to target and disrupt environmental, human rights and social activists.

Digital activism has become a crucial tool for peace activists, artists, and pacifists to amplify their voices and advocate for human rights. However, it also comes with significant risks, especially when using social media platforms owned by companies like Meta (which owns WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram). The widespread collection and analysis of user data by these platforms can inadvertently place activists, particularly those in conflict zones or under authoritarian regimes, in grave danger.

Here’s how:

Data Collection and Surveillance.
Social media platforms gather vast amounts of personal data, including location, communication patterns, and social networks. Even if activists use these platforms to connect with like-minded individuals, governments or adversarial groups can exploit this information. They may monitor or track the activities of individuals engaged in peace or human rights work, identifying those who may be vulnerable or in opposition to state policies.

AI-Based Targeting Systems.
Advanced AI algorithms analyse data shared on social media to create detailed user profiles. These profiles are then used by governments or militias to locate or target dissidents and activists. For example, posts advocating for non-violent resistance could trigger monitoring from repressive regimes. In regions with ongoing conflict, this could result in physical harm, arrest, or worse for both the activist and their contacts.

Group Chats and Connections.
WhatsApp and Facebook groups, often used for organising and communicating, can be infiltrated. Meta-owned platforms use end-to-end encryption (like WhatsApp), but vulnerabilities exist—especially when participants’ phones or accounts are compromised. If a government or an adversarial party gains access to these groups, the entire social ecosystem of peace activists may be exposed.

Metadata and Location Tracking.
Even if the content of a conversation is encrypted, metadata (such as who is talking to whom, when, and for how long) can be collected. Governments and third parties can use this information to map out networks of activists and trace their movements or affiliations. For those living in "war zones," this could lead to harassment, intimidation, or detention.

Involuntary Exposure of Contacts.
When activists in relatively safe locations share information on these platforms, they may inadvertently expose their more vulnerable contacts in conflict regions. By tagging people, linking their profiles, or sharing contact details, they risk revealing the identities of individuals who should remain anonymous.

Weaponization of Social Media.
Adversarial groups, militias, or repressive regimes can weaponize the data collected from these platforms. They can use AI-driven techniques to amplify disinformation campaigns, sow division within peace movements, and isolate activists. This could lead to activists being misrepresented as extremists, escalating the risks they face.

What Can Activists Do?
Word of mouth: Your phone that was once your ally is now your enemy with hacked telecommunication systems, location tracking and social media meta-data collection.
Use Encrypted Platforms: Switch to more secure messaging platforms like Signal or Telegram, which offer better privacy controls and encryption standards.
Minimize Digital Footprint: Avoid sharing sensitive information online or in group chats that could be accessed by adversaries.
Decentralize Communication: Use offline or peer-to-peer networks when possible, reducing dependence on centralized platforms owned by major corporations.
Educate Networks: Raise awareness among your contacts about digital security, including the potential risks of participating in social media activism in dangerous regions.
Advocate for Tech Accountability: Push for stronger privacy protections and more ethical AI use from companies like Meta to prevent the exploitation of activist data.

While social media platforms are vital for raising awareness and building global support for peace and human rights causes, activists need to be aware of the risks associated with data surveillance and AI-based targeting. By being cautious and adopting better digital security practices, activists can reduce the risks to themselves and their vulnerable networks.

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