The Syrian electronic army – a hacktivist group

<b>Purpose</b> – The aim of the paper is to assess the hacktivist group called the Syrian Electronic Army and determine what their motivations in terms of ethical and poetical motivations.<br /><b>Design/methodology/approach </b>– This paper looks at chronological examples of Syrian Electronic Army activities and assess them using a developed hacktivist criteria to try and gain a greater understanding of the motivations of the Syrian Electronic Army. The paper uses a netnography research approach.<br /><b>Findings </b>– This paper determines that the Syrian Electronic Army is motivated to protect the Syrian Government. This protection is highlighted by the new media and social media organisations that theSyrian Electronic Army attacks online.<br /><b>Research limitations/implications </b>– This paper focuses only on one group the Syrian Electronic Army.<br /><b>Practical implications</b> – A greater understanding of the Syrian Electronic Army.<br /><b>Social implications </b>– A greater understanding of the development of hacktivism.<br /><b>Originality/value</b> – A unique study into the motivation of the Syrian Electronic Army.