Anonymous and the Digital Underground: an approach to the analysis of a socio-digital object

Abstract

This paper’s main aim is to analyse the ciberactivist collective Anonymous as a socio-digital object, that is, as a social premise—embedded in the digital logic—which opens a determined horizon of actions, and that I shall call the Digital Underground. This is an alternative and electronic space, generated by the use of digital technologies, which is characterized by a certain degree of autonomy, and a conscious oppositional character, in relation to mainstream society. The members of the Digital Underground have developed distinct organizational models, subcultural formats and innovative strategies in order to participate in the public sphere. In the last few years, Anonymous stands out as a main example of these initiatives.