What Shapes Public Attitudes to Hackers' Political Activity: Experimental Evidence

This study investigates the factors shaping Russian citizens’ attitudes toward politically motivated hacker attacks (hacktivism) in the context of heightened political polarization and geopolitical tensions in 2023. Through an online vignette-based conjoint experiment with 100 respondents, we examine how the method of attack, nationality of hackers, target of the attack, and information about state persecution influence public perceptions of legality and approval regarding hacktivist activities. Our findings reveal that attack methods significantly affect attitudes: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are viewed more negatively than data theft and disclosure, suggesting public concern over collective disruption rather than transparency-seeking actions. Nationality plays a crucial role: attacks by Russian hackers are viewed more favorably than those by American hackers, confirming in-group bias predicted by social identity theory. Political orientation strongly moderates attitudes: opposition-leaning respondents are more supportive of attacks targeting the Russian government, whereas pro-government respondents show greater approval for attacks against the United States. This reflects deep societal polarization and aligns with patriotic hacking narratives. Interestingly, gender interacts with perceptions of state persecution: women express greater disapproval of hacktivists when informed of their prosecution, possibly reflecting higher institutional trust among women in Russia. However, political views do not significantly moderate the effect of persecution information, indicating that attitudes toward judiciary actions may operate independently of general government approval. Methodologically, the study contributes to political science by applying conjoint experiments to the understudied domain of hacktivism, offering a nuanced analysis of multidimensional public attitudes in a sensitive political climate. The results not only advance academic understanding of hacktivism as a form of political participation but also shed light on the polarized nature of contemporary Russian society. This research opens avenues for future studies on the efficacy of hacktivist messaging, cross-national comparisons, and the role of hacktivism in authoritarian and democratic contexts. By dissecting how technical, national, and political dimensions shape public opinion, this paper provides a foundational framework for examining digital activism in the modern era.