US sanctions and terrorist designation of Autistici/Inventat

In late August 2026, the United States government announced sanctions against Autistici/Inventati, a digital collective that has provided independent digital infrastructure and communication services for 25 years. The U.S. Department of State and the Department of the Treasury classified the group alongside what they defined as “transnational far-left terrorist networks,” alleging the collective provides infrastructure used by extremist groups.

By early September, the U.S. government officially designated Autistici/Inventati as an international terrorist organization. This designation, effective August 26, 2026, blocks the group from accessing U.S. financial streams. Because the action prevents the collective from maintaining bank accounts and essential online services, Autistici/Inventati announced it will cease all operations by the end of September 2026.

Critics and supporters have raised concerns regarding digital freedom, arguing that the move targets infrastructure providers rather than users and threatens thousands of activist accounts and websites. While the collective stated its services are stopping, it maintained that its “ideas and resistance will continue.”