Tom Cruise discussing his experiences as a Scientologist was posted on YouTube

Scientology is a set of religious beliefs and practices created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s. The Church of Scientology, which was established to promote these beliefs, has been the subject of controversy and criticism over the years, particularly regarding its treatment of members and its aggressive legal tactics against critics. One notable event in the history of Scientology occurred when a video featuring actor Tom Cruise discussing his experiences as a Scientologist was posted on YouTube by the group Project Chanology, which is associated with the hacktivist collective Anonymous. The Church of Scientology claimed that the video was pirated and edited from a longer, private video intended for its members. This incident highlighted the ongoing tensions between the Church and its critics, as well as the role of social media in disseminating information about controversial organizations. Project Chanology emerged as a response to the Church of Scientology's practices, particularly its attempts to suppress criticism and control information. The group organized protests and online campaigns against the Church, utilizing the internet to mobilize supporters and raise awareness about alleged abuses within Scientology. The video featuring Cruise, which was initially removed from YouTube under threat of litigation from the Church, was later reinstated and gained significant viewership, surpassing 15 million views. This incident not only exemplified the power of digital platforms in shaping public discourse but also underscored the challenges faced by organizations like the Church of Scientology in managing their public image in the age of the internet. The actions of Project Chanology and the subsequent viral spread of the video contributed to a broader conversation about freedom of speech, the influence of celebrity endorsements, and the accountability of religious organizations.