How Does the Privilege of Encrypted Online Communication Influence the Quality of Group Discussions

Most recent, after the storming of the Capitol in Washington D. C., it was demonstrated that conspiracy theorists expand to be a real-life threat.

Looking at the growing issue of conspiracy theories and misinformation that are widely spread and believed on Social Networking Sites (SNS), this topic is worth investigating. Also considering that the violence by these conspiracy theorists is not limited to the online world, gives this topic both a societal and academic rationale.

This issue deals with the ignorance and suppression of the truth of conspiracy theorists who group together, generating a collective enemy image that is not themselves. This is also called in- group out-group thinking. Self-reflection and guilty conscience are, therefore, absent, which can be shown by the example of the extension of the lockdown due to increasing COVID-19 infections by the German government. Here, the Querdenken group spreads agitation on SNS, portraying the government, politicians or virologists as the bad guys and responsible for the expansion of the lockdown. To prevent any potential further harm, it is important to conduct research on how such groups behave within their main communication medium of SNS.