Illustration by Nour Sadat
Technology-facilitated violence (TFV) is a multifaceted and pervasive form of digital repression. From widespread surveillance, criminalisation of online content and expression, to propaganda, disinformation campaigns and persecution of online users, state and non-state actors deploy myriad mechanisms to monitor, intimidate and silence individuals and communities. These practices result in grave and multilayered consequences, extending beyond self-censorship and infiltrating the intimate, social and professional lives of those affected.
In this qualitative research, we provide an intersectional examination of the complex array of the political, economic and social structures that contribute to shaping the realities of TFV in Egypt. Additionally, we highlight its repercussions on the health and the physical and social security of survivors, alongside their responses and resistance strategies.
To do so, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 participants who were women and members of LGBTQI+ communities. They included migrants and refugees, digital content creators, women’s rights defenders and feminist activists, among others. This was complemented with secondary data from diverse resources, such as news articles, op-eds and publications.
Centring participants’ lived experiences, the study shows how the current political climate and economic crisis, deeply intertwined with existing systems of oppression, such as patriarchy, racism and classism, play a fundamental role in driving and legitimising TFV. Repercussions of such violence are severe, affecting the safety, security and well-being of individuals. These consequences intensify as individuals’ identities intersect and access to supportive services, whether legal or healthcare, is obstructed by systemic discrimination and structural stigma. Nevertheless, as participants illustrated, survivors find ways to resist and challenge violence through various tactics and means, from strategic visibility, confrontation and documentation, to coordinated efforts of digital archiving and community building.
Addressing technology-facilitated violence requires political will and structural reforms. State laws and policies should be enforced to provide fair legal protection for survivors, irrespective of their gender, sexual orientation, race or class. The state must cease weaponising legislation like the Cybercrime Law and related provisions, as tools to target and detain online users. Additionally, inhumane practices that violate bodily integrity, such as forced anal or vaginal examinations of LGBTQI+ individuals, must be prevented. Non-state actors, such as technology companies, should adopt human rights-centred content moderation policies to effectively respond to online violence, including hate speech and defamation.
Finally, increased funding and support for grassroots and community building are essential. Funding organisation should prioritise long-term funding and support for groups working on digital security, legal aid and psychosocial support for marginalised communities, especially beyond urban areas. Importantly, funding should also support prevention measures and initiatives such as knowledge production and educational programmes that deepen understanding of the role of different key actors, including technology companies. This includes examining how violence is embedded in the design and processes of technologies and what strategies and tools can be developed to shift power dynamics in the creation and use of digital tools to better prevent technology-facilitated violence.
This work forms part of the third edition of the Feminist Internet Research Network (FIRN) project, supported by the Women’s Rights Programme of APC.