Recent discussions about inviting the hacktivist collective Anonymous to investigate Sri Lanka's cyberspace amid protests and fake news concerns have raised significant risks. Anonymous, known for its global hacking operations, consists of a mix of hacktivists, inexperienced individuals, and potentially criminal elements. Their involvement in Sri Lanka's protests could introduce unpredictability and potential harm to the largely peaceful movement. Additionally, the presence of cybercrime gangs within Anonymous poses a threat to personal data, which can be sold on the dark web. While state regulation may be necessary for online content monitoring, it should be carefully implemented to avoid selective enforcement. Sri Lanka also needs to enforce data protection laws, improve online safety education, and establish guidelines for digital curfews. With the increasing digitization of services, protecting citizens' data through strict standards and public-private partnerships is essential to ensure Cybersecurity and promote digital citizenship.
Mr. Asela Waidyalankara cautions that inviting the Anonymous hacktivist group to participate in taking down government infrastructure may not be as wise a move as people think. He points to the group's recent release of data from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment as evidence that not all hackers are trustworthy.
