Cyber statecraft by net states: the case of Meta, 2016–2021

ABSTRACT

Comparisons of social media companies and their platforms to states have become common as their size, reach and influence continues to expand. While such comparisons are usually metaphoric, the identification of 'net states' as state-like cyber actors calls for a closer inspection of the concept. While it is clear that 'net states' are not states in the traditional sense, it is also apparent that greater analytic depth is required to examine precisely how these actors become state-like. This paper argues that the state-like nature of actors in cyberspace can be best framed and perceived through the use of actor-network theory, specifically the sociology of translation. In a case study of Meta Platforms, we examine the net state as a model for mapping cyber statecraft through material and social relations to provide an understanding of how cyber actors build state-like relations with other actors. This research encourages an interdisciplinary approach combining international relations, cybercultural and actor-network theory, and highlights how cyber statecraft is attempted by actors other than states.

KEYWORDS:

• Cyber policy
• cybercultures
• actor-network theory
• Meta
• Facebook
• net state

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 The term “interessement” refers to how actors in a network may interpose themselves to strengthen relations.

2 Fairbank (2019) and Hurel and Lobat (2018) identify software manufacturer Microsoft as a norms entrepreneur as a result of its efforts to establish a Digital Geneva Convention. In so doing, Fairbank commences her analysis by questioning whether Microsoft operates as a state through its movement into a role as norms entrepreneur typically taken by state actors. By actively taking a role in cyber norms entrepreneurship, Microsoft enhances its own legitimacy beyond the role of a mere company to influence global efforts towards a safer cyberspace.

3 While Meta Platforms was still trading under the name Facebook, Inc. during this time, we have elected to retain the name Meta for the MNC here to distinguish it from the Facebook platform.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Callum J. Harvey

Callum J. Harvey holds a Bachelor of Communication and Media (Honours) from the University of Wollongong and is an independent cyber policy researcher. He is currently investigating the practice of cyber statecraft by non-state actors and the role of memes in information warfare. Twitter: @CallumHarvs

Christopher L. Moore

Christopher L. Moore is a senior lecturer in Digital Communication and Media at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Chris is a researcher in internet studies, celebrity, analogue and digital games and online persona. He is currently investigating the use of social media in the support of niche creative workers in the cultural industries. He is the co-author of Persona Studies: An Introduction and a co-editor of the journal Persona Studies. Twitter: @CL_Moore