INFORMATION TERRORISM: CONCEPT, FORMS AND MODERN THREATS

ABSTRACT

The article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of information terrorism — a new and multifaceted phenomenon that has formed at the intersection of modern digital technologies, psychology and political confrontations in the context of digital transformation. Particular emphasis is placed on current threats, including social polarization, interference in electoral processes, undermining state sovereignty and information support for hybrid wars. The work emphasizes that information terrorism is one of the most dangerous and difficult to detect forms of terrorism, the overcoming of which requires coordinated international efforts and a comprehensive approach.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Статья посвящена анализу концепции информационного терроризма — нового и сложного феномена, возникшего на стыке современных информационных технологий, психологии и политических конфликтов в эпоху цифровой революции. Особое внимание уделяется современным угрозам, таким как поляризация общества, вмешательство в выборные процессы, подрыв суверенитета и информационное сопровождение гибридных конфликтов. Сделан вывод о том, что информационный терроризм является одной из наиболее опасных и трудно обнаруживаемых форм терроризма, требующей комплексного международного сотрудничества и интегрированного подхода для эффективного противодействия.

Keywords: information terrorism, digital revolution, disinformation.

Ключевые слова: информационный терроризм, цифровая революция, дезинформация.

Introduction

In the context of rapid digitalization of society, the nature of global threats faced by both individual states and the world community as a whole is radically transformed. One of the most serious and difficult to recognize challenges of our time is information terrorism - a new form of destructive activity based on the use of information flows and digital technologies in order to destabilize political systems, undermine public order and influence mass consciousness. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of information terrorism as a complex socio-political phenomenon that has formed at the intersection of information security, cyber threats and media propaganda. The main theoretical approaches to defining the concept of “information terrorism” are highlighted, and its key features and differences from related concepts such as cyberterrorism, information wars and psychological operations are highlighted.

Materials and Methods

The qualitative method was chosen for this study. A thorough examination of the topic was carried out based on the analysis of primary and secondary sources. The documentary method of data collection was used as the main tool. The sources used were analyzed and interpreted in the context of the problem under study, which allowed us to formulate final conclusions.

The concept of information terrorism

Currently, the term “information terrorism” does not have a single, internationally recognized definition enshrined in international law, which complicates the creation of universal legal mechanisms to counter this phenomenon. This is due to the fact that information terrorism is a relatively new phenomenon that has formed at the intersection of information technology, psychology and political conflicts in the era of digital transformation. International legal acts and agreements still often use narrower categories, such as “cyberterrorism” or “information operations”, which only partially cover the area of information terrorism and do not reflect the full range of its forms and methods.

Nevertheless, in scientific, analytical and expert literature, information terrorism is understood as targeted actions carried out using information and information and communication technologies in order to sow fear, cause chaos and uncertainty in society, undermine trust in state and public institutions, and destabilize the political and economic situation in a state or region. Such actions include the dissemination of disinformation, fake news, propaganda campaigns, cyberattacks on information resources, as well as manipulation of public consciousness through social networks and other digital channels.

First of all, it should be noted that the emergence of information terrorism has become possible due to the rapid progress of modern technologies. This phenomenon can be characterized as a form of psychological pressure on the enemy, carried out without the use of physical violence and based solely on information impact. The main goal of such impact is to sow fear and keep society in a state of constant anxiety. The famous Anglo-Irish-American politician and sociologist Edmund Burke described the nature of fear as follows: “There are no emotions that so deprive the human mind of all actions and thoughts as fear” (Berk, E. 1979, 237). It should also be noted that the word “terror” comes from the Latin language and the etymological meaning is “to intimidate”.

Information terrorism occurs in the moral sphere, which combines political, philosophical, legal, religious and other views and thoughts, where there is a struggle of ideas. The availability and free use of information technology greatly increases the risk of such terrorism. Thus, the more informed the society, the more sensitive it is to the consequences of mass psychological terror (Talişinski, E. (2023), 132).

The main forms of information terrorism

Modern information terrorism takes many forms:

Propaganda and disinformation: The dissemination of false news, distorted information, and falsified interpretations of historical facts. In particular, in conflicts in the post-Soviet space, such distortions are often used to justify aggressive actions or incite hatred.

Manipulation of public opinion through social media: Terrorist and extremist groups are increasingly using digital platforms for recruitment, propaganda, and coordination. These processes undermine trust in government structures and contribute to social destabilization.

Psychological operations (PSYOPS): Intentional influence on public consciousness in order to demoralize the population, sow panic, or provoke aggressive behavior.

Use of deepfake technologies and artificial intelligence: Creation of fake video and audio files that imitate speeches by public figures, fictitious events, or crimes. This poses a serious threat to the perception of reliable information.

Information attacks on symbols and values: Discrediting national symbols, distorting historical and cultural memory, provoking interethnic and interfaith tensions.

Modern threats of information terrorism

In the scientific community, information terrorism is classified into two types, one of which is cyberterrorism. Cyberterrorism primarily aims to exploit computer networks to disrupt critical national infrastructures such as energy, transportation, and government systems and to instill fear among both authorities and the civilian population. Dorothy E. Denning, professor at Georgetown University and one of the leading experts in computer crime and information security, writes in her book “Activity, Hacktivism and Cyberterrorism: The Internet as a Tool for Influencing Foreign Policy” that “cyberterrorism is an attempted illegal attack on computers and networks to force government agencies to pursue their political or social goals.” (Mark M.Pollitt: 1997, 285-289)

Another form of information terrorism is the use of the Internet by terrorist organizations to obtain property, financial, informational, and other types of support for their operations, without directly carrying out terrorist attacks. In the context of global geopolitical transformations, information terrorism is becoming increasingly relevant, turning into one of the main threats to international security. The development of modern information technologies opens up new ways to influence public consciousness, significantly expanding the toolkit of terrorist and hybrid actions.

The key threats of information terrorism include the following areas:

Polarization and radicalization of society: The widespread dissemination of false and manipulative information leads to increased intergroup contradictions, increased social tensions and the destruction of public dialogue. As noted in the report of the European Counter-Terrorism Center (ECTC), disinformation contributes to radicalization and the formation of a favorable environment in society for the spread of extremist ideas (ECTC, 2021).

Undermining Electoral Processes: Information campaigns aimed at disinformation and manipulation of public opinion are increasingly used to interfere in the internal affairs of states, which poses a serious threat to the functioning of democratic institutions.

Threat to state sovereignty and territorial integrity: In the context of modern conflicts, information warfare acts as a means of "soft occupation" - through the imposition of distorted historical interpretations, the creation of false identities and the undermining of the authority of legitimate state structures.

Information support of hybrid conflicts: In the context of new-generation hybrid wars, information operations acquire strategic significance, becoming their integral part. They involve the targeted dissemination of propaganda, disinformation and manipulative messages in order to demoralize the enemy, destabilize the domestic political situation and create conditions for the implementation of military-political tasks. Such actions accompany traditional armed clashes and play an important role in shaping public perceptions both domestically and internationally, influencing political and diplomatic decisions (Talyshinsky, E.B. 2012, 386).

Conclusion

Information terrorism is one of the most insidious, dangerous and difficult to recognize forms of modern terrorism. Unlike classic manifestations of terrorist activity, it does not require the use of physical violence or weapons, but it can cause serious and long-term damage to national security, public stability and trust in government structures. With the help of digital technologies and online platforms, disinformation is spread, panic and fear are sown, and mass consciousness is manipulated on a scale unattainable by traditional terrorism.

Countering information terrorism requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that involves combining the efforts of the state, civil society, the media and international partners. Only through close interaction and exchange of practices is it possible to create effective mechanisms for identifying, neutralizing and preventing information attacks, as well as to develop legal and technological standards that ensure the stability of the information space.

In the digital age, the information field is no longer just a backdrop to a conflict — it is turning into its central arena. In such realities, the advantage goes not to those who have more powerful weapons, but to those who are able to control information flows, influence interpretations of events, shape public attitudes and set the agenda. This requires a radical revision of traditional approaches to security and the development of new strategies to protect national interests and democratic institutions in a dynamically changing information space.

References:

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