CICADA 3301 Allegations against the group

Allegations of illegal activity

Authorities from the Los Andes Province of Chile claimed that Cicada 3301 is a “hacker group” and engaged in illegal activities. Cicada 3301 responded to this claim by issuing a PGP-signed statement denying any involvement in illegal activity.^[20][21]

In July 2015, a group calling themselves “3301” hacked into Planned Parenthood‘s database;^[22] however, the group appeared to have no association to Cicada 3301.^[23] Cicada 3301 later issued a PGP-signed statement stating they “are not associated with this group in any way” and also stated that Cicada 3301 did not “condone their use of our name, number, or symbolism”.^[24] The hacker group later confirmed that they were not affiliated with Cicada 3301.^[25]

Claims of being a cult

As the group gained notoriety and public attention, many asserted that the puzzles were an introduction to occult principles, and possibly even recruitment for a cult. Conspiracy theorist Tim Dailey, a former senior research fellow with the conservative Christian Family Research Council, analyzed Cicada 3301 puzzles and stated, “The enigmatic Cicada 3301 appears to be drawing participants inexorably into the dark web of the occult à la Blavatsky and Crowley. At the heart of the enchantment is the counterfeit promise of ultimate meaning through self-divination.”^{[17][26][better source needed]}

Others^[who?] claimed that the Cicada 3301 puzzles are a modern and technological equivalent to the enlightenment journey within Western esotericism and mystery schools.^[26]

QAnon

Further information: QAnon

During the first months of QAnon’s existence, there were rumors that Cicada 3301 was behind “Q”, the anonymous figure who originated the conspiracy theory, and that it had created the whole QAnon phenomenon as a form of Live action role-playing game.^[27] An early QAnon promoter, media producer Lisa Clapier, urged Cicada 3301 puzzlers to take part in decoding Q’s posts and “follow the white rabbit” to QAnon’s posts.^[28] Despite this, 3301 themselves have not publicly stated to be involved with QAnon in any way