TFGBV Taxonomy
Perpetrator:

Nation-state

Last Updated 6/4/25
Definition: Government entities or state-sponsored actors that systematically target individuals and groups using digital technologies for political suppression and social control.
Abuse Types:
Intimate image abuse (IIA) Cyberstalking Doxxing Online harassment Internet of things (IoT) abuse
Targets:
Public figure Society Organization, group, community
Perpetrator Intents:
Silence Compliance Punitive intent

Synonyms

State actors, Government-sponsored groups, Authoritarian regimes

Description

Nation-state perpetrators represent the most resourced and technically sophisticated form of coordinated TFGBV. Unlike other perpetrator types, nation-states can combine digital harassment with offline consequences by leveraging government infrastructure, intelligence capabilities, and legal frameworks, and physical threats. These campaigns often target women in journalism, civil society, human rights defenders, and political opposition figures, with particular focus on silencing voices that challenge government narratives or policies.

Skill level

Very high - Nation-state actors have access to advanced surveillance technologies, sophisticated hacking capabilities, and substantial resources for sustained campaigns. They often employ professional cyber units with intelligence-grade technical skills.

Mitigation strategies

  • Default to highest privacy settings - When platforms default users to maximum privacy, it limits the data available for state actors to use in building profiles or coordinating harassment campaigns against dissidents and activists.
  • Prioritized reporting - Nation-state targeting often represents the most severe and dangerous form of coordinated abuse, with potential offline consequences including imprisonment or physical harm.
  • Transparent feedback and reporting

References

  • UNFPA Technical Division, Gender and Human Rights Branch. (2021, December 1). Technology-facilitated gender-based violence: Making all spaces safe. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). https://www.unfpa.org/publications/technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-making-all-spaces-safe
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