Coding Democracy

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Hackers are often viewed negatively, seen as malicious agents disrupting systems. However, Maureen Webb presents a different perspective, suggesting that hackers can serve as essential disruptors in society. She posits that hacking is evolving into a practice and ethos that embodies a new wave of activism, empowering ordinary citizens to create decentralized forms of democracy suited for the digital age. In response to the challenges posed by concentrated power, mass surveillance, and authoritarianism, the hacking movement seeks to expand democratic principles into cyberspace. Webb explores various locations, including Berlin's Chaos Communication Camp, a key event in hacker culture; Silicon Valley, where she examines the Apple-FBI case and the implications of Russian troll farms; and Barcelona, where the hacker group XNet has played a crucial role in holding Spanish bankers and politicians accountable for the 2008 financial crisis. Additionally, she investigates the institutionalization of hacking at Harvard and MIT. Through her research, Webb highlights innovative hacker initiatives that aim to transform the political landscape, challenge tech giants like Facebook and Amazon, empower worker cooperatives against platforms like Uber, and enhance citizens' control over their data and governance processes.