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.

  • 21st January 2021
    “Take Nothing But Pictures, Leave Nothing But (Digital) Footprints”: Social Media Evidence From the US Capitol Siege Perpetrators
    Jonathan Lewis, Bennett Clifford
  • 21st January 2021
    Alt-Tech and Online Organising After the Capitol Riots
    Jordan McSwiney, Greta Jasser, Dominik Hammer
  • 20th January 2021
    The Impact of the Capitol Attacks on Extremist Operational Security
    Dr. Daniel Milton, Audrey Alexander
  • 18th January 2021
    Redpill the “Parler Refugees”: White Supremacist Strategies for Radicalising Trump Supporters on Telegram
    Meili Criezis
  • 15th January 2021
    Attack Dates as Terrorist Messaging
    Dr. Carol Winkler
  • 13th January 2021
    Ashli Babbitt: A Far-Right Martyr of the Insurrection
    Marc-André Argentino

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