Autistici/Inventati case sets a new counterterrorism precedent, Irdi says
The U.S. government has designated the Italian digital infrastructure collective Autistici/Inventati as a terrorist organization for allegedly providing support to the PKK. Legal experts are concerned that this sets a dangerous precedent for targeting technology providers based on the actions of their users.
Why it matters
This case raises significant questions about the intersection of counterterrorism policy, digital privacy, and the liability of infrastructure providers.
Why it matters. The designation marks an unusual use of U.S. counterterrorism sanctions against a European technology collective whose main activity is providing digital infrastructure – from encrypted communications to web hosting.
What happened. On August 26, the State Department, working with the Treasury Department, designated Autistici/Inventati (A/I Collective) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.
Washington specifically cited the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States and is also on the EU terrorist list. Treasury says Autistici/Inventati was designated for having “materially assisted” or provided technological support, goods or services in support of an act of terrorism
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