![]() | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2019) |
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IT-backed authoritarianism, also known as techno-authoritarianism, digital authoritarianism or digital dictatorship,[1][2] refers to the state use of information technology in order to control or manipulate both foreign and domestic populations.[3] Tactics of digital authoritarianism may include mass surveillance including through biometrics such as facial recognition, internet firewalls and censorship, internet blackouts, disinformation campaigns, and digital social credit systems.[4][5] Although some institutions assert that this term should only be used to refer to authoritarian governments,[6] others argue that the tools of digital authoritarianism are being adopted and implemented by governments with "authoritarian tendencies", including democracies.[7]
Most notably, China and Russia have been accused by the right-wing Brookings Institution of leveraging the Internet and information technology to repress opposition domestically while undermining democracies abroad.[3]