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
Jan 6th
Social Media
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.
Social Media
As some of the most user facing and interactive platforms online, social media sites have been at the forefront of tracking violent extremist and terrorist trends online. Relevant research focusing on social media presents useful explorations of specific platforms.
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03rd March 2021Selfie and Siege: Women’s Social Media Footprint and the US Capitol Hill SiegeDevorah Margolin, Chelsea Daymon
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27th January 2021From MAGA to the Fringe: What Was Happening Online Before the 6 January Insurrection and What Can We Do Now?Meili Criezis, Brad Galloway
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21st January 2021“Take Nothing But Pictures, Leave Nothing But (Digital) Footprints”: Social Media Evidence From the US Capitol Siege PerpetratorsJonathan Lewis, Bennett Clifford
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21st January 2021Alt-Tech and Online Organising After the Capitol RiotsJordan McSwiney, Greta Jasser, Dominik Hammer