Facebook debate: The cyber war against Daesh

Can governments win the online war against Daesh with the help of Anonymous hackers?

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2 MIN READ

Salute bravery in cyber war

We need to salute this brave Anonymous group. The people working through Anonymous are those who are trying to block Daesh internet activity and propaganda on Facebook and Twitter. So, this Anonymous group is doing a good job. Whoever is doing this, may God bless them.

From Mr Syed Talha

UAE

Working with criminals

I don’t think governments with Anonymous hackers can win the cyber war against Daesh. Those hackers are a criminal gang and by nature have narcissistic personality disorders.

From Mr Abdul Salem Mohammad

UAE

No harm in it

Intelligence, however gleaned, can be used effectively to combat terrorist activities through sifting and disregarding. So, I think there is absolutely no harm sifting through data received through fringe sources like Anonymous.

From Mr Steve Flaherty

UAE

Just a crutch

To end terrorism we need to eliminate poverty, injustice, discrimination, inequality, racism, illiteracy and sectarianism. The cyber war is only a crutch.

From Mr Rizwan Khalid

Gujranwala, Pakistan

What’s right and wrong

I don’t understand, Mr Rizwan Khalid. It takes all of that to teach people the difference between right and wrong?

From Mr Santino Anaya

Bakersfield, US

Not long term solution

Daesh has a very strong presence on social media, be it on Twitter, Facebook or WhatsApp. These accounts belonging to Daesh loyalists have long been active. Surprisingly, the government, as well as other concerned authorities, do not block these accounts despite being fully aware of those operating in the hope of getting crucial information or updates regarding the terror group’s activities.

I don’t see hackers being a great help to eliminate terrorism from the world. The authorities, the government and the intelligence, are well-informed of the physical stronghold of Daesh and are yet not successful in wiping them off. With the help of these hackers, only the accounts can be identified that favour or are managed by Daesh members. This may in turn help the authorities to block communications of the group with its members across the globe, but this isn’t a solution that can be relied upon in the long run. I believe more stringent and well-thought measures need to be adopted to tackle Daesh.

From Ms Fatima Suhail

Sharjah

Don’t underestimate

I disagree with Ms Fatima Suhail. I think that it is because it is a long term solution that it is difficult to understand how it is a solution at all. By blocking accounts on social media, we are making it more difficult for the organisation to recruit.

In the fight against Daesh, there are indeed three portions to this war: On the ground in Syria and Iraq, eliminating terror strikes worldwide and the cyber war to end propaganda and recruitment. Let’s not underestimate the cyber war like we did with the ground war when Daesh made serious advancements.

From Ms Jessica Woods

Dubai

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