Through an ethnographically informed approach this research highlights the interwoven historical, social and political factors in the post-conflict context of Lebanon and how this in turn amplifies digital security risks for populations during times of political instability. This is caused by the strongly rooted sectarian divisions. We show how populations on the margins – particularly LGBTQI+ identifying people, refugees and women – are targeted through practices of othering on a scale ranging from online silencing, to online targeted abuse and hatred, to outright scapegoating. We discuss how the threats facing already at-risk populations are heightened during times of crisis and amplified through digital technology.

Further this research focuses on (in)secure digital infrastructures. We develop a theory of ‘security patchworking’ that makes visible the infrastructuring work necessitated to secure basic needs such as electricity provision, identity authentication and financial resources. Such practices are rooted in differing mechanisms of protection that often result in new forms of insecurity.