TCAP Insights: Patterns of Online Terrorist Exploitation
This report analyses the distribution of terrorist content across different online platforms. The report draws on the Terrorist Content Analytics...
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Tech Against Terrorism Mar 17, 2022 9:58:00 AM
We are delighted to announce the publication of our first Transparency Report for the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP). The TCAP is a tool developed by Tech Against Terrorism which identifies, verifies, and alerts terrorist content to tech platforms for removal. The platform has been funded by Public Safety Canada.
The TCAP is developed using a transparency-by-design approach. This is the first TCAP transparency report, which is one of several initiatives Tech Against Terrorism has taken in compliance with our core principles. The report provides a detailed breakdown of the core metrics for the report period between 1 December 2020 and 30 November 2021, and of key TCAP policies and processes.
On the occasion of the publication of the first TCAP transparency report, Tech Against Terrorism Founder and Director Adam Hadley said:
“This report once again confirms that terrorist groups predominantly exploit a wide range of smaller platforms, but it also shows that tech platforms will do the right thing and remove terrorist material if provided with appropriate support. This further proves that our focus has to be on providing support mechanisms to platforms to ensure positive impact.”
“The report findings showcase the urgent need for governments to improve designation of far-right terrorist groups. Unfortunately a tool like TCAP – and many tech platforms – will not be able to scale its removal of far-right terrorist content unless governments lead the way in providing legal clarity around far-right terrorism, such as via designation mechanisms.”
Anne Craanen, Senior Research Analyst and TCAP Policy Lead, said:
“Transparency is a key principle at Tech Against Terrorism, and by publishing this report we hope to raise the bar in terms of providing transparency in the online counterterrorism sector. Not only does this report provide valuable insights into terrorist online propaganda dissemination techniques, it also promotes trust and accountability. We encourage all tech companies, industry initiatives, and governments to be transparent about their online counterterrorism efforts.”
Summary of key findings in the report
The TCAP Transparency Report covers a wide range of data which the TCAP team have collected and analysed since the launch of TCAP. During this reporting period:
Terrorist Group | Alerts | % of total alerts | Inactive | % Offline | % Online |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Islamic State (IS) | 4364 | 40% | 3847 | 88% | 12% |
2. Al-Shabab | 2325 | 21% | 2313 | 99% | 1% |
3. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) |
2450 | 22% | 2404 | 98% | 2% |
Terrorist Group | Alerts | % of total alerts | Inactive | % Offline | % Online |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Christchrch attack perpetraor |
59 | 51% | 26 | 44% | 56% |
2. Atomwafen Division | 22 | 19% | 14 | 64% | 36% |
3. National Socialist Order (NSO) |
11 | 10% | 3 | 27% | 73% |
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