Contextual
Resources

Once a government or tech company develops a definition of terrorism or violent extremism, it can be difficult to know how to apply these definitions to the variety of ways that terrorism and violent extremism manifests internationally and across online spaces.

This section of the site aims to highlight contextual resources on themes related to applying definitions to the online space.  GIFCT funds the Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET) to bring forward actionable insights from experts and practitioners around the world to better inform and give context to tech companies, governments, practitioners and other stakeholders in this field. Insights are curated here under context-based themes.

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World Events

While robust policies and legislation on defining terrorism and violent extremism might be in place, it can be difficult to know how definitions apply to major global events. In recent years there have been significant offline events that impact counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts online. The following key events highlight where global researchers have analyzed the impacts of these moments on the online space, focussing on how terrorist and violent extremist actors are using platforms around these events and where solutions can be found.

Jan 6th

The January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021 presented a notable mix of off and online activity and coordination from extremist groups. Significantly, groups used a variety of platforms as part of the planning process prior to the attack. After the attacks, there was a significant increase in alternative platform use, along with a particular impact on the online ecosystems of far right extremist groups. Overall, the event underlined the role of social media evidence in the aftermath of these types of attacks, along with their potential impact on the operational security of extremists.

  • 06th January 2023
    Shifts in Domestic Extremist Movement Rhetoric, Two Years After the Capitol Siege 
    Ilana Krill and Valeria de la Fuente
  • 19th August 2022
    How QAnon is Dealing With The FBI Raid on Trump
    Mike Rains
  • 02nd September 2021
    Understanding Accelerationist Narratives: ‘There Is No Political Solution'
    Matthew Kriner, Meghan Conroy and Yasmine Ashwal
  • 13th August 2021
    Insurrection Snapshot: Emerging Narrative Themes Following the January 6 Storming of the US Capitol
    Meili Criezis and Kesa White
  • 06th May 2021
    "I will never forget this for as long as I live”: Social Learning at the Capitol Hill Siege
    Danielle Carrier, Ilana Krill and Andrew Mines
  • 03rd March 2021
    Selfie and Siege: Women’s Social Media Footprint and the US Capitol Hill Siege
    Devorah Margolin, Chelsea Daymon
  • 27th January 2021
    From MAGA to the Fringe: What Was Happening Online Before the 6 January Insurrection and What Can We Do Now?
    Meili Criezis, Brad Galloway
  • 26th January 2021
    Researching the Far-Right in a World on Pause: An Overview of Secondary, Public and Archival Data Sources
    Peita Richards
  • 22nd January 2021
    Extremism in the Manosphere During the Presidential Transition
    Dr. Alexis Henshaw

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