Targeted Repression Rises with Internet Access: A Syrian Conflict Analysis

Governments increasingly leverage technology as a repression tool. This study examines the relationship between Internet accessibility and state violence at subnational levels.

Data & Methods

• Analyzed records of civilian killings in Syria
• Distinguished between targeted attacks (specific individuals/groups) versus untargeted campaigns
• Used supervised text classification to categorize violent events

Key Findings

• Higher Internet access levels correlate with increased precision and targeting in government violence against civilians
• Conversely, areas with limited or restricted Internet face more indiscriminate repression strategies

Why It Matters

These findings illuminate how modern technology influences coercive state behavior. They demonstrate that providing digital infrastructure can paradoxically enhance regime control through targeted surveillance-enabled tactics.