Press Release: Tech Against Terrorism Launches Violent Extremist Monitoring Task Force for U.S. Election Day Amid Heightened Threat of Civil Disorder

With the heightened risk of post-election unrest and online extremist activity, Tech Against Terrorism has announced the launch of a specialised team dedicated to monitoring violent extremism across the United States. 

Key points: 

• Monitoring and detection: The US-focused task force will track extremist content online, particularly amid elevated tensions following the election. Our priority is to support tech platforms in rapidly identifying and addressing content that may incite or encourage violence. 

• Data-driven analysis for timely Insights: Leveraging advanced analytical tools, the team will identify patterns and trends within extremist content across digital platforms. This approach aims to provide stakeholders with timely intelligence, helping them to proactively respond to any immediate threats.

• Assisting platforms in crisis response: Smaller and mid-sized platforms, which may face increased extremist exploitation in times of social and political tension, will receive priority support. Tech Against Terrorism’s team will work closely with these platforms to provide crisis response guidance and enhance their ability to manage extremist content effectively. 

London, 6 November 2024 - On U.S. election day, Tech Against Terrorism is announcing the formation of a Violent Extremist Monitoring Task Force dedicated to identifying and monitoring online content related to violent extremism. This new task force will specifically track threats to life and any signs of mobilisation toward violent protests. Informed by historical trends of extremist violence during politically charged periods in the United States, this initiative aims to address the heightened risks of civil disorder and threats to public safety. 

Call to Action:

Tech Against Terrorism urges major tech platforms, especially social media companies, to adopt heightened vigilance during this critical period. Platforms play a crucial role in ensuring they are not exploited to organise violent activities or foster unrest. To counter these risks, Tech Against Terrorism advocates for the implementation of rigorous content moderation practices capable of detecting and addressing extremist rhetoric and calls to violence. 

At this juncture, disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising American democracy pose a significant risk. Social media platforms have a dual duty to counter both violent extremist messaging and disinformation efforts that seek to undermine democratic integrity. We emphasise the need for rigorous moderation practices to mitigate these risks, as unchecked disinformation and violent rhetoric could have severe consequences.