Tech Platforms Warned: Brace for Online Disinformation Surge as Middle East Tensions Rise

With escalation in the Middle East potentially imminent, tech platforms are urged to intensify vigilance against the dissemination and reach of disinformation by terrorists and extremists.

The call from Tech Against Terrorism comes after its threat intelligence analysts observed a significant surge in activity amplifying such content, particularly on platforms and messaging apps favoured by extremist groups.  

This surge coincides with broader regional volatility as hostilities threaten to escalate in and further destabilise the Middle East. The role that online disinformation plays in such hostilities should not be understated, and tech platforms are urged to take the necessary counter measures.   

After the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, terrorist groups and their affiliates have adeptly used platforms to amplify their actions, recruit, and even raise funds. Tech Against Terrorism witnessed a surge of activity online, including polarisation, and an increase in incitement to violence. At the time, tech platforms faced a deluge of content, much of which breached their own terms and conditions. This incident highlighted the challenges and responsibilities for tech platforms in moderating and removing harmful content swiftly and effectively. 

Tech Against Terrorism is therefore advising platforms to remain alive to the impending disinformation challenge and its consequential real-world impact. The explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital on 17 October, which appears to have been caused by a misfired rocket from Palestinian Islamic Jihad, provides a notable example: given the mounting civilian casualties elsewhere, disinformation that Israel attacked the Al-Ahli hospital quickly went viral, impacting peace talks and efforts to end the violence. 

With the prospect of hostilities escalating in the Middle East, tech platforms should now be particularly alert to the increased weaponisation of online disinformation by terrorist groups including Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and others who are likely to intensify their use of these platforms. 

At this crucial time, it is imperative for tech platforms and governments to come together, share threat intelligence, and coordinate actions to prevent the exploitation of online spaces by extremist groups. We urge all tech platforms to: 

1. Increase Monitoring and Moderation Efforts: Enhance the detection and removal of terrorist and violent extremist content. Utilise advanced technologies and manual reviews to ensure swift action. Many platforms are utilising Tech Against Terrorism’s Terrorist Content Analytics Platform to be alerted to the terrorist threat. We have also co-developed Altitude, an open-source tool designed to help content moderators view, review, and remove terrorist and violent extremist content from their platforms.     
2. Share Threat Intelligence: Collaborate with other platforms, governmental agencies, and organisations like Tech Against Terrorism to share relevant threat intelligence. This collective effort will help in identifying and mitigating risks across platforms. 
3. Strengthen Community Guidelines Enforcement: Ensure that community guidelines and terms of service are strictly enforced. Any content that promotes terrorism or violent extremism should be removed promptly.   
4. Promote Awareness and Education: Educate users about the dangers of extremist content and encourage them to report any suspicious activity. 

Tech Against Terrorism has several initiatives to help tech platforms stay ahead of the challenge. This includes the Tech Against Terrorism Network,  access to the Knowledge Sharing Platform, and bespoke mentoring. 

The coming days will be critical in ensuring that online platforms are not exploited by those seeking to spread violence and terror. Tech Against Terrorism is calling on tech platforms to take proactive measures to stay ahead of harmful online actors.