US sanctions force shutdown of extremist platform Switch Off

The left-wing extremist platform ‘Switch Off’ has gone offline following sanctions imposed by the United States Department of the Treasury. The shutdown follows the designation of the Italian internet collective Autistici/Inventati (A/I) as ‘specially designated global terrorists’ by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in late August.

Autistici/Inventati provided the technical infrastructure for ‘Switch Off’ and other projects, including ‘NoBlogs.org’. In response to the sanctions, the collective announced on September 6 that it would cease operations, noting that legal challenges could expose users and activists to financial and legal risks.

German authorities, including the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, have identified ‘Switch Off’ as a platform used to incite criminal acts. The site reportedly listed over 100 crimes and provided instructions for constructing incendiary devices, while calling for arson and attacks on critical infrastructure. US officials have linked the collective’s tools to sabotage efforts against German energy and rail infrastructure.