ItalyThe Italian digital activist collective Autistici/Inventati (A/I), which provided free and private internet services globally for 25 years, has suspended its operations after being sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The group was added to the U.S. anti-terrorism blacklist for allegedly providing material support to groups labeled as terrorists by the United States, including Antifa, Palestine Action, and the PKK. This move has raised concerns about the potential targeting of individuals based on their associations with groups disfavored by the U.S. administration. In Italy, ethical bank Banca Etica closed A/I’s account, leaving them unable to access funds or pay suppliers. Neither the Italian government nor the European Union has publicly defended A/I, and legal recourse in the U.S. appears limited. A/I was founded alongside the Italian branch of Indymedia in 2001 during global anti-globalization protests, and managed thousands of encrypted email accounts, blogs, websites, and community-run hosting spaces. The group claims its shutdown aims to protect users and communities who rely on its services, avoiding any actions that could endanger the
Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights the closure of a digital activist group due to U.S. sanctions against groups deemed 'terrorists' by the U.S., raising concerns about the overreach of American foreign policy and its impact on civil liberties. It criticizes the lack of response from the Italian government and欧盟
