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Tech Against Terrorism

Tech Against Terrorism

Author: Tech Against Terrorism

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Want to learn more about how terrorists and violent extremists are using the internet to communicate and share propaganda? Perhaps you’re interested in why terrorists share their manifestos online and livestream their attacks? The Tech Against Terrorism podcast is a deep dive into the evolving use of the internet by terrorists and violent extremists, how this relates to real world harms, and what can be done to support the tech sector to disrupt this threat. Join us as we speak to the world’s leading experts in this field and uncover everything from the online propaganda behind an IS prison break in Syria, to the online network of neo-Nazis behind a foiled terrorist plot in Texas.
62 Episodes
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This week, we’re discussing the rapidly evolving phenomenon of deepfakes powered by generative AI technology. We explore how deepfakes are being manipulated for malign purposes, including by terrorist and violent extremist actors. And we consider how this threat might develop as technology improves and what this means for terrorist propaganda, online disinformation, and global security. We also ask what tech platforms, the media and policymakers should be doing to get ahead of this threat.  Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Daniel Byman, Senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. And Chris Meserole, Director of the Brookings Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative and a fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution. You can read a transcript of this episode here. If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re exploring the use of memes in the context of terrorism and violent extremism. Throughout the episode, we consider why memes are being used by terrorist and violent extremist actors, how they’re spread online and why their meaning is often hidden to ordinary internet users. We also look at some of the challenges this poses for tech platform moderators trying to counter their spread and what tech companies can do to address this issue. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Arthur Bradley, OSINT Manager at Tech Against Terrorism. We’re also joined by Blyth Crawford, an Analyst at Moonshot and Research Fellow and PhD Candidate in War Studies, The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) at King’s College London and Moustafa Ayad, Executive Director for Africa, Middle East and Asia, Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). You can read a transcript of this episode here.  If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re looking into the contested term “borderline content”, using antisemitism as a case study for how terrorist and violent extremist (TVE) actors sanitise extremist content. We learn more about what borderline content is in practice, its strategic use for TVE actors, and what makes it so difficult to moderate. We also consider the potential consequences of allowing borderline content to spread on mainstream social media platforms and discuss what tech platforms and policymakers should be doing to tackle it. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Isabelle Arnson, Senior Policy Analyst at Tech Against Terrorism  and Head of Tech Against Terrorism Europe (TATE). And Hannah Rose, a PhD Candidate in War Studies at King's College London and a Research Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR). You can read a transcript of this episode here.If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re exploring the spread of online disinformation in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We unpack the shifting online ecosystem around the conflict, and track pro-Kremlin narratives and disinformation campaigns both domestically and abroad. We also ask who’s behind these narratives and on which platforms they are being spread. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Jordan Wildon, a Digital Investigator, Telegram expert and Founder & CEO of Prose Intelligence. And Charlie Winter, Co-Founder and Director of Research at ExTrac.You can read a transcript of this episode here. If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast, we’re heading to Canada to speak to two of the country's leading experts who are working to counter terrorism and violent extremism through the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence. Hear how the centre leads the Government of Canada's efforts to counter radicalisation to violence through a number of initiatives, including its Community Resilience Fund. Plus, how we at Tech Against Terrorism are working with the Centre to expand the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP), the world’s largest database of verified terrorist content.Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Brett Kubicek, Research Manager, and Robert Burley, Executive Director at the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence.Read our full report on terrorist designation here. You can read a transcript of this episode here. If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
With the help of our expert guests, we explore what hybrid threats are in the context of online terrorism and violent extremism. We consider why this hybridisation has increased in recent years and how online extremism has blurred and overlapped with other online harms such as disinformation and conspiracy theory movements. We also touch on “grey area” content, consider whether algorithms promote more hateful or extreme narratives online, and discuss what the tech sector and policymakers can do to tackle hybrid threats online. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr Bettina Rottweiler, a Research Fellow at University College London (UCL) where she specialises in researching risk and protective factors for violent extremism. And Milo Comerford, Head of Policy & Research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), which specialises in research and policy advice on hate, extremism, and disinformation. You can read a transcript of this episode here.  If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re looking at how the internet is regulated in India. We consider what the current landscape looks like, what this means for tech platforms operating in the market and how this is impacting platforms’ online counterterrorism and content moderation efforts.Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Tanmay Singh, Senior Litigation Counsel at the Internet Freedom Foundation. And Jyoti Panday, a researcher at the Internet Governance Project (IGP) at the Georgia Institute of Technology.We unpack the recent legislation - the 2021 Information and Technology (IT) Rules - highlighting how they relate to global trends in regulating online content. Plus, we outline how civic engagement can influence online regulation. You can read a transcript of this episode here.If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter. To find out more about global online regulation, read our analysis in the Online Regulation Series.
This week, we’re looking at how violent Islamist organisations such as Islamic State disseminate propaganda online, particularly through the exploitation of file-sharing platforms.  Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Professor Stuart Macdonald and Connor Rees from Swansea University about their data-driven research which explores pro-IS use of file-sharing platforms for propaganda dissemination. The episode addresses how and why Islamic State and their supporters have had to develop such a sophisticated strategy for spreading their message. We also consider how data-driven research by academia can help inform a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach to countering the threat of terrorist and violent extremist use of the internet. Download the full report, Remove, Impede, Disrupt, Redirect: Understanding & Combating Pro-Islamic State Use of File-Sharing Platforms here. You can read a transcript of this episode here. If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re exploring the concept of deplatforming. We explain what deplatforming is, how tech company attitudes towards content removal have evolved over the years and consider whether there’s a case for allowing some “borderline” content to remain on platforms. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr Joe Whittaker, a lecturer in Cyber Threats, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at Swansea University. Dr Whittaker has carried out extensive research focusing on online radicalisation, including looking into the role deplatforming plays in radicalisation online. He shares some of the unintended consequences of deplatforming and explains why he believes tech platforms now need a broader strategy to tackle terrorist and violent extremist content online. You can read a transcript of this episode here.If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we look back at some of the key trends and developments in terrorist and violent extremist use of the internet in 2022. We’ll be sharing findings from our “state of play” report which highlights shifts in terrorist behaviour and tactics online. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Tech Against Terrorism’s Charley, Rory and Arthur about developments in Islamist and far-right terrorist exploitation of the internet, the growing threat of terrorist operated websites, and how TVE actors are experimenting with newer technologies such as the decentralised web. We also examine emerging threats in 2023 and discuss our priorities for the year ahead which include expanding our support for web infrastructure providers and increasing our crisis response capabilities.You can find the full report, “State of Play: Trends in Terrorist and Violent Extremist Exploitation of the Internet 2022” here.You can read a transcript of this episode here.If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re exploring the topic of online misogyny. With gender-based abuse in online spaces becoming a growing problem, we explore why misogynist views are so prominent online, the emotional impact of online harms, and what tech platforms can do to counter violent misogynistic content and protect victims from abuse.We also explore why misogyny is so prevalent in extremist networks online, not just among incels but across ideologies. And we learn more about how the online discussion platform, Reddit, has developed its policies to better tackle violent misogynistic material.Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr Jessica Ashooh, Senior Director of Policy at Reddit. And Elsa Bengtsson Meuller, a PhD candidate at Goldsmiths, University of London, where they are researching the politics of antifeminist and misogynistic (online) cultures.You can read a transcript of this episode here.  If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week, we’re exploring the topic of researcher safety and mental health, focusing on the particular difficulties facing those working with terrorist or violent extremist content. We ask whether there’s enough awareness around the subject, and what can be done, both individually and institutionally, to protect the emotional wellbeing and safety of counterterrorism researchers and practitioners.Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Olivier Cauberghs, Head of Textgain Academy, and Kesa White, Lead Trends Analyst and Program Manager at the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at the American University.  You can read a transcript of this episode here.If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes to learn more about the work of our Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Analysts who are responsible for tracking, analysing and alerting terrorist and violent extremist activity online.We share what a typical day in the life of an OSINT analyst looks like, some of the safety, ethical and mental health considerations around their work, plus we hear what skills you need for a career in OSINT. We also weigh up the potential risks and benefits of self-taught OSINT and discuss the future of OSINT. Join Anne Craanen and Archie Macfarlane as they speak to Arthur and Rory from the Tech Against Terrorism OSINT team. If you’re interested in learning more about Open-source Intelligence, check out the resources at OSINTCurious, OSINTJobs and Bellingcat. You can read a transcript of this episode here.If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
The Decentralised Web

The Decentralised Web

2022-11-1727:34

This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast we’re exploring the decentralised web. We discuss what the decentralised web is, its potential benefits for users, and whether terrorists and violent extremists are exploiting these technologies. We also consider future threats relating to exploitation of the decentralised web, and how tech companies building this technology can mitigate this by developing trust and safety mechanisms early on.  Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr. Inga Trauthig, a Senior Research Fellow with the Propaganda Research Lab at The University of Texas at Austin, and Clara Tsao, Co-founder of the Trust & Safety Professional Association (TSPA) and Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council.You can read Inga’s full research paper “Emergent Technologies and Extremists:The DWeb as a New Internet Reality?” here. And learn more about Clara’s work at The Trust & Safety Professional Association here. You can read a transcript of this episode here. If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast we’re exploring the threat of terrorist operated websites (TOWs). We discuss what TOWs are, what features they offer, and what role they play in wider terrorist and violent extremist exploitation of the internet. We also discuss why removing websites is so legally and ethically complicated and requires multi-stakeholder solutions. Finally, we outline what TAT is doing to combat TOWs, and consider what can be done by policymakers, infrastructure providers and other relevant stakeholders. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Ajith Francis, Director of the Data & Jurisdiction Program at the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network and Rory, an Open-source Intelligence (OSINT) Analyst at Tech Against Terrorism. You can read our full report on the threat of terrorist and violent extremist operated websites here. You can read a transcript of this episode here.  If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
The Dark Web

The Dark Web

2022-10-1224:18

Welcome back to the Tech Against Terrorism podcast. For our first episode back, we’re taking a deep dive into the dark web. We discuss what the dark web is, who’s using it, plus consider the extent to which it’s exploited by terrorist actors. We also discuss how the dark web is regulated, consider future threats and whether it’s an area the tech sector and policymakers should be prioritising. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr James Martin, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Deakin University, Australia. And Arthur Bradley, Open-source Intelligence Manager at Tech Against Terrorism. If you want to find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
The Tech Against Terrorism podcast is returning on Thursday 13th October. Join us every other week as we unpick how terrorists and violent extremists are exploiting the darkest corners of the internet and what can be done to support the tech sector to disrupt this threat.
For the final episode of Season 2 of the podcast we’re taking a closer look at a tool developed by Tech Against Terrorism called the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP). We learn what the TCAP is, why it was set up, and how it’s used to automate the swift detection and removal of verified terrorist content on tech platforms.During the episode, Mariusz Żurawek explains how he struggled to single-handedly moderate extremist content on his platform JustPaste.it. We discuss how terrorist exploitation of the whole online ecosystem, especially smaller platforms like Mariusz’, inspired the development of the TCAP.  We also chat to the TCAP team about the work they’re doing to add more functionality to the platform and about some of the processes that are in place to ensure it’s as transparent as possible to its stakeholders and the wider public. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Jacob Berntsson who’s the Head of Policy & Research at Tech Against Terrorism, Sophie Laitt who’s a Senior Product Manager at Tech Against Terrorism and Mariusz Żurawek, the founder of JustPaste.it - a website which uses the TCAP to help it take down potentially harmful terrorist content from its site. If you want to find out more about the TCAP, head over to the website at terrorismanalytics.org. And for those interested you can find our Transparency Report here. To find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
On this week’s episode, we’re exploring the role of automated solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tackling terrorist and violent extremist content and activity online. With the help of our expert guests, we delve into the historical use of machine learning algorithms for content moderation purposes, look at how they’ve developed over the last decade or so, and discuss their potential going forward. We consider some of the potential biases and ethical considerations around automated removal systems, such as the mistaken removal of war crime evidence or political speech in the Arabic language. Our guests explore how we can best utilise algorithms to tackle terrorist content, highlighting their potential for understanding patterns of terrorist behaviour online.This week, Anne Craanen speaks to Adam Hadley, Founder and Executive Director of Tech Against Terrorism. We also hear from Dia Kayyali, director for advocacy at Mnemonic where they focus on the real-life impact of policy decisions made by lawmakers and technology companies about content moderation and related topics. And Chris Meserole, a fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution and director of research for the Brookings Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative. Chris is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.To find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic.
This week we’re bringing you a special episode investigating the conflict in Ukraine. We unpack the truth around violent extremist elements operating in Ukraine amid the online information war that’s been unfolding. We speak to experts who expose the Russian claims of denazification as state-sponsored disinformation, and interrogate the reality of the violent far-right presence and influence of foreign fighters in Ukraine. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Ukraine-based Olga Yurkova who is the Co-founder of StopFake.org, an educational platform which aims to teach people about the dangers of spreading false information. We also hear from Kacper Rekawek, a PhD, postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Research on Extremism at the University of Oslo. And finally, from Jason Blazakis who is a Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and former Director of the Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office, Bureau of Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State. We also get valuable insight from Arthur Bradley, a Senior OSINT analyst at Tech Against Terrorism, who explains the divergent reaction of the international far-right to the invasion online. Our experts reveal troubling links between the Russian state and far-right fighters in Ukraine exposing Kremlin narratives as not only false but contradictory.  How do you tell if a photo or video posted online is real or fake? Here's a simple video by the BBC's Disinformation team on how to check and verify content shared online about the war in Ukraine. Or you can find this article on Olga’s website StopFake.org on “How to recognise a fake.”To find out more about Tech Against Terrorism and our work, visit techagainstterrorism.org or follow us on Twitter @techvsterrorism, where you can find resources on this topic. 
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