Information Communication Technologies and Framing for Backfire in the Digital Rights Movement

  • Authors:

  • Hector Postigo

  • Affiliations:

  • Temple University

  • Venue:
  • Social Science Computer Review
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

In 2001, Dmitry Sklyarov was arrested for his role in designing the Advanced e-Book Processor, the software that cracked Adobe's e-Book encryption. Using historical data and situating itself within social movement theory, this article focuses on the case of Sklyarov's arrest to show how the digital rights movement, using online networks, mobilized activists and framed the event in a manner that led to 'backfire' against government prosecutors and Adobe Systems Inc. The case illustrates positive outcomes for social movements when they use movement-specific online networks---networks that help rapidly define the meaning of issues and that have the potential to inform mass media outlets, and through them, broader publics.