Source: www.persecution.org
Date: July 16, 2024
By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow
In the digital age, technology has become a double-edged sword, offering unprecedented opportunities for connection and growth and new avenues for persecution and control. This duality is evident in the context of religious freedom, particularly for Christians around the world. While technology enables the dissemination of religious teachings and the fostering of global faith communities, it also provides tools for extremist groups and authoritarian regimes to intensify persecution. From spreading hateful propaganda to employing advanced surveillance and censorship mechanisms, technology has significantly exacerbated the challenges faced by Christian communities. Understanding the influence of technology on Christian persecution is essential for developing effective countermeasures and safeguarding religious freedom.
Extremist groups and hostile governments often use social media platforms and online forums to spread propaganda and incite hatred against Christians. They use these platforms to justify violence, spread false information about Christian communities, and recruit sympathizers to their cause. This digital dissemination of hate speech can amplify existing tensions and contribute to acts of persecution. News outlets and organizations have exposed how the Islamic State group (ISIS) and similar extremist groups use platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram to spread propaganda demonizing Christians and justifying violence against them.(1)
Governments and non-state actors use advanced surveillance technologies to monitor religious activities, including those of Christian communities. Surveillance can lead to increased intimidation, harassment, and threats against Christians who are perceived as threats to state ideologies or social norms. This surveillance also extends to tracking online activities and communications, further limiting freedom of expression and assembly. Thousands of recent articles highlight how the Chinese government utilizes advanced surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence to monitor and track the online activities of Christians, leading to increased intimidation and harassment.(2)
In countries where Christianity is restricted or illegal, governments employ sophisticated technologies to censor online content related to Christianity. This censorship prevents Christians from freely practicing and sharing their faith online, which limits their ability to connect with global religious communities and access resources. Government restrictions on religion around the world reached a new record in 2018 due to a systematic, global increase of censorship and control of technology.(3)
Technology facilitates the coordination and planning of attacks against Christian communities. Extremist groups use encrypted messaging apps and online platforms to organize assaults on churches, religious gatherings, and individual believers. This coordination often leads to targeted violence and displacement of Christian populations. It was recently reported that the terrorist group Boko Haram utilizes encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp to plan and carry out attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.(4)
The recent rise of artificial intelligence can exacerbate the global Christian plight. AI’s capabilities can be exploited to systematically target and oppress vulnerable religious populations, worsening existing prejudices and enabling more sophisticated and widespread forms of persecution.(5) AI technologies, such as facial recognition and predictive analytics, can be used by governments and other entities to monitor and track members of religious minority groups. This can lead to increased discrimination, harassment, and suppression of religious practices. AI can amplify disinformation and propaganda against religious minorities by creating and spreading fake news, deepfakes, and other misleading content. This can incite hatred, justify persecution, and influence public opinion against these groups. AI can improve the precision and effectiveness of weaponry used against religious minorities, including autonomous drones and targeted cyber-attacks. Such technologies can be employed to intimidate, harm, or eliminate individuals and communities based on their religious beliefs.
Technology has played an enormous role in escalating the persecution of Christians globally. The use of social media for spreading propaganda, advanced surveillance techniques for monitoring religious activities, censorship of online content, and the coordination of attacks through encrypted messaging apps have all contributed to an environment where Christians face heightened risks and restrictions. Addressing these technological challenges requires a balanced approach that protects privacy and freedom of expression while countering the misuse of digital tools for persecution. We must promote cybersecurity, advocate for digital rights, and support global efforts to defend religious freedom. Through these actions, we can mitigate the adverse effects of technology on Christian communities and uphold the fundamental right to religious expression.
1. Gerstel, D. (2016). "ISIS and Innovative Propaganda: Confronting Extremism in the Digital Age." Swarthmore International Relations Journal, 1, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.24968/2574-0113.1.5
2. Peveley, R. (2024, February 16). "Chinese Christians face increasing surveillance and repression, say analysts." Www.churchtimes.co.uk. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/16-february/news/world/chinese-christians-face-increasing-surveillance-and-repression-say-analysts
3. Majumdar, S. (2020, November 10). "Government restrictions on religion around the world reached new record in 2018." Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/11/10/government-restrictions-on-religion-around-the-world-reached-new-record-in-2018/
4. Medinat, A., & Malefakis. (2019). "Social Media Dynamics in Boko Haram’s Terrorist Insurgence." https://toda.org/assets/files/resources/policy-briefs/t-pb-50_medinat-a.-malefakis_social-media-dynamics-and-boko-harams-terrorist-insurgence.pdf
5. Curry, D. (2023, May 12). "How AI could be misused to persecute religious minorities worldwide." Religion News Service. https://religionnews.com/2023/05/12/how-ai-could-be-misused-to-persecute-religious-minorities-worldwide/