Technology for civilian self-protection.

This article examines how information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly used by civilian communities for self-protection in armed conflict, a topic that has been underexplored compared to armed actors' use of technology. It identifies nine primary ICT applications—such as early warning systems, coordination tools, documentation for accountability, and counter-messaging—that enhance non-violent protection strategies by improving information flow, organizational capacity, and engagement with external actors. Two case studies of prominent civilian protection groups, Colombia's Indigenous Guard and Syria's White Helmets, illustrate how ICTs have strengthened their ability to coordinate, document abuses, and counter disinformation, while also highlighting challenges like limited connectivity and risks from surveillance or misinformation. The article calls for further research on the conditions influencing effective technology adoption for civilian protection and suggests that ICTs hold significant potential to augment non-violent self-protection efforts amid evolving conflict dynamics.