Animal Rights Extremism and the Internet

Research on extremism and the Internet has primarily been concerned with violent Islamic groups and their networks and to a lesser extent far right groups. Such a focus has meant that the study of violent animal rights extremism and the Internet has largely been neglected despite the Internet providing animal rights extremists with a medium through which to network, exchange information and coordinate their activities both at the national and international level. Websites like Bite Back and the Animal Liberation Front worldwide news and information resource contain claims of responsibility for animal rights actions, direct action guides, Internet security advice, interviews with activists, details of snitches, lists of current prisoners and material on potential targets. This chapter explores how violent animal rights extremists use the Internet in the pursuit of their cause and compares their usage to other violent extremists, drawing upon the existing literature.