To some, they are the world’s most money-grabbing cyber-terrorists. For others, they are poster groups for the latest developments in political and social activism. They call themselves Anonymous – a group of hackers whose high skills allow them to penetrate the most secure layers of computerized data. They exist in the shadows, but few in the world are unaware of their exploits. The documentary How Hackers Changed the World aims to expose these digital outlaws and examine how they are both advocates of the common good and a sinister threat to the world’s security fabric.
It originated in MIT dorm rooms and is a new generation of online prank games. Smart college kids create memes and foster the concept of trolling for cheap laughs. Their offbeat shenanigans quickly permeated the culture, changing the tone of online communications for many everyday users. They thrive by targeting those most easily offended.
It doesn’t take long for her shenanigans to take on a larger, more meaningful meaning. Public purveyors of hate and discrimination — like neo-Nazi podcast host Haltner — became central targets of the group’s ire, and their attempts to disrupt its platform proved highly successful.
Today, Anonymous has grown into a global movement. Media groups, high-profile influencers, government agencies, and even terrorist groups like the Islamic State have become the central focus of their campaigns of smear and public shaming. Her name terrifies those who despise disclosure. Like every successful anarchist in history, they posed a convincing and imaginative threat to the all-powerful elite. But what is the ultimate cost of their actions?
With power comes great responsibility. How Hackers Changed the World uses clear tone and straightforward language, recognizing the group’s influence as a force for good but also recognizing its potential to foment chaos that is far from constructive. This double-edged sword is complemented by insights from some of the organization’s most ardent supporters and harshest critics.
