Tech Against Terrorism Calls for Digital Action Against the Houthis Following Canadian Designation

Tech Against Terrorism welcomes Canada's decision to designate Ansarallah, known as the Houthis, as a terrorist entity. This designation underscores the urgent need for coordinated and decisive action to disrupt the group’s significant and evolving online presence, complementing ongoing military efforts. 

Key points: 

• Designation of the Houthis as a Terrorist Entity: Canada has joined the United States, Australia, and New Zealand in designating the Houthis as a terrorist organisation. This decision highlights the severe threat the group poses to international security.   
• The Houthis’ Exploitation of Digital Infrastructure: Tech Against Terrorism research reveals that the Houthis utilise major social media platforms and their own network of websites to spread terrorist content and directly support its operational capabilities. 
• Call to action: Immediate action must be taken to counter the Houthis’ digital presence:

• • Social media platforms: Remove all Houthi-affiliated accounts, networks, and content promptly. 
  • Domain registrars and hosting providers: Cease services to entities affiliated with the Houthis.
  • ICANN: Develop stricter policies to prevent the misuse of domain names by terrorist groups. 
  • Governments: Hold digital service providers accountable for enforcing counter-terrorism regulations. 

London, 06 December 2024 - Canada’s designation of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, as a terrorist entity aligns with similar actions taken by the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. This critical decision reflects the group’s continued threat to international security through attacks on shipping vessels, U.S. naval assets, and various regional targets. 

 The designation of the Houthis empowers more effective action against the group’s online operations, which remain a key component of the group’s strategy. The Houthis’ digital infrastructure enables operational planning, financing, and recruitment whilst amplifying their propaganda to millions of users. While extensive military operations against the Houthis in the Red Sea disrupt their physical ability to carry out hostile operations, the group’s online presence persists.  

The Houthis’ Exploitation of Digital Platforms 

Tech Against Terrorism today announced that they will expand their operations to the Australian time zone with support from the Australian Department for Home Affairs in order to respond to terrorist attacks with a significant online component. With this expansion, Tech Against Terrorism will work around the clock by alerting the content to tech platforms and relevant authorities so that dangerous terrorist content can be disrupted before causing harm.

Tech Against Terrorism’s monitoring highlights the following: 

• The Houthis operate across major social media platforms, including X, Telegram, and Instagram.  

• The group operates its own network of websites, disseminating terrorist content through registered domains and hosting services.  

• Many of these registrars and hosting providers are based in Houthi-controlled Yemen, hindering the disruption of the group’s digital operations, meaning a new approach to disrupting these sites is needed.  

Although legal frameworks exist to address terrorist activity online, enforcement at scale remains lacking. Tech Against Terrorism has previously highlighted that ‘although we have the legal tools to address offences both online and offline, enforcement at the required scale is lacking.’ Under Canada’s Criminal Code, penalties can now be enforced against any group or person knowingly dealing with a designated entity. However, the Houthis continue to exploit various platforms and services with minimal disruption.  

Call for Strengthened Digital Counterterrorism Measures 

 Urgent and decisive action is needed, including: 

• Social media platforms: Remove all Houthi affiliated accounts, networks, and content promptly. 

• Domain registrars and hosting providers: Cease services to entities affiliated with the Houthis. 

• ICANN: Develop stricter policies to prevent the misuse of domain names by terrorist groups. 

• Governments: Hold digital service providers accountable for enforcing counter-terrorism regulations. 

The persistence of the Houthis’ online activities undermines counterterrorism efforts. Military responses alone will not suffice to combat the group’s terror and violence. Closing the gap between military and digital counterterrorism measures is essential. 

Welcoming the decision, Adam Hadley, Executive Director of Tech Against Terrorism, said: 

 "Canada’s designation of the Houthis as a terrorist entity is a significant step towards enhancing global security. However, to effectively counter the threat posed by the Houthis, it is imperative that we address their online presence with the same vigour as military operations. Digital platforms must act swiftly to remove content that supports terrorism, and governments should enforce regulations that hold these platforms accountable. A comprehensive approach that includes both kinetic and digital strategies is essential to disrupt the Houthis’ operations and propaganda." 

About Tech Against Terrorism 

Tech Against Terrorism is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to saving lives by disrupting terrorist activity online. The organisation is based in London, UK and now works globally, with a particular focus on supporting smaller tech platforms, to monitor and respond to terrorist attacks and crisis situations. By identifying and referring harmful content to relevant platforms and authorities, Tech Against Terrorism ensures a coordinated and life-saving response to online threats.