Clandestine/Hidden Organizations

Clandestine/hidden organizations are composed of groups of people who keep their affiliations secret and conceal internal and external organizational activities. Since the early 2000s, the prominence and notoriety of clandestine organizations have made them the subject of much discussion, debate, and research, although they have existed throughout human history. Three distinct communication characteristics that distinguish clandestine organizations from other types of collective organization create several theoretical, methodological, and ethical challenges for researchers. The increasing development and use of digital information technologies make the study of clandestine organizations both easier and more difficult. Keywords: clandestine organizations; dark web; hidden organizations; secret societies