This activity includes using the Internet as a propaganda tool and as an internal hegemonic communication device. More aggressive Offensive Hegemonic Netwar activity includes monitoring, surveillance, or censorship of the Internet or limiting access by the process of commodification and privatization. The worst case scenario might include simply eliminating access to the net by severing resistance groups connections. An example of the Internet being used as a propaganda tool in a psychological operations mode occurred in the recent U.S. invasion of Haiti. CIA agents sent destabilizing email messages to Haitian elites (Washington, 1995). The Internet as a communication device is evidenced by laptops on the battlefield and ties into the concept of soldiers as sensors (RAND, 1996). There is no direct evidence of hegemonic surveillance of the Internet, but a Pentagon document published in 1995 recommends monitoring domestic and international Internet traffic to look for trouble spots. (Swett, 1995) The NSA has been monitoring international phone traffic for many years. Censorship of the Internet in the United States has been attempted with the Communications Decency Act. As yet there is no overt censorship of political communication. The privatization of the Internet is occurring slowly, but steadily.
Hegemonic forces have proven quite capable in psychological warfare, surveillance, censorship, restricting free speech, and other means of disinformation. For example, in 1954 during the CIA led coup in Guatemala, anti-Arbenz leaflets were dropped from planes. The disadvantage for OHN activity is that the net is rhizomatic and decentralized. Most use is concentrated in the industrialized countries, therefore OHN activity is primarily geared toward audiences in the developed countries of North America and Europe.