---
title: "Report: Who Designates Terrorism? The Need for Legal Clarity and Transparency to Moderate Terrorist Content Online"
description: A new report from Tech Against Terrorism reveals that there has been a limited application of designation when it comes to tackling terrorist content online.
image: https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/Report-3.png
---

[Skip to the main content.](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online#main-content)

[![TAT White logo - Left](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Brand%20and%20icons/TAT%20White%20logo%20-%20Left.png?width=3719&height=1451&name=TAT%20White%20logo%20-%20Left.png "TAT White logo - Left")](https://techagainstterrorism.org/home)

[![TAT White logo - Left](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Brand%20and%20icons/TAT%20White%20logo%20-%20Left.png?width=450&height=175&name=TAT%20White%20logo%20-%20Left.png "TAT White logo - Left")](https://techagainstterrorism.org/home)

- About Us 
    - [About Us](https://techagainstterrorism.org/about)
    - [How we work](https://techagainstterrorism.org/how-we-work)
    - [Careers](https://techagainstterrorism.org/careers)
    - [Contact Us](https://techagainstterrorism.org/contact-us)
- What We Do 
    - Solutions 
          - Archive Database 
                  - [Research Portal](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-adrp)
                  - [Content Hash List API](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-adhla)
          - [Knowledge Sharing Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/ksp)
          - [Terrorist Content Analytics Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap) 
                  - [Automated Content Alerts](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-aca)
          - [Trusted Flagger Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tfp)
          - [Altitude Content Moderation](https://techagainstterrorism.org/altitude)
    - Services 
          - [Mentorship](https://techagainstterrorism.org/mentorship)
          - [Trustmark](https://techagainstterrorism.org/trustmark)
          - [Bespoke Support](https://techagainstterrorism.org/bespoke-support)
- Membership 
    - [Network](https://techagainstterrorism.org/network)
- Analysis 
    - [Podcast](https://podcast.techagainstterrorism.org/)
    - [Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports)
    - Guides 
          - [Online Regulation Series](https://techagainstterrorism.org/online-regulation-series)
          - [Transparency Reporting Guidelines](https://transparency.techagainstterrorism.org/)
    - [Analysis](https://techagainstterrorism.org/analysis)
- News and Events 
    - [News](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news)
- Dispatches by TAT 
    - [Dispatches](https://techagainstterrorism.org/dispatches)

Search

Toggle Menu

Search

Toggle Menu

- About Us
  
  
  
    - [About Us](https://techagainstterrorism.org/about)
    - [How we work](https://techagainstterrorism.org/how-we-work)
    - [Careers](https://techagainstterrorism.org/careers)
    - [Contact Us](https://techagainstterrorism.org/contact-us)
- What We Do
  
  
  
    - Solutions
      
      
      
          - Archive Database
            
            
            
                  - [Research Portal](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-adrp)
                  - [Content Hash List API](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-adhla)
          - [Knowledge Sharing Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/ksp)
          - [Terrorist Content Analytics Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap) 
                  - [Automated Content Alerts](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-aca)
          - [Trusted Flagger Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tfp)
          - [Altitude Content Moderation](https://techagainstterrorism.org/altitude)
    - Services
      
      
      
          - [Mentorship](https://techagainstterrorism.org/mentorship)
          - [Trustmark](https://techagainstterrorism.org/trustmark)
          - [Bespoke Support](https://techagainstterrorism.org/bespoke-support)
- Membership
  
  
  
    - [Network](https://techagainstterrorism.org/network)
- Analysis
  
  
  
    - [Podcast](https://podcast.techagainstterrorism.org/)
    - [Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports)
    - Guides
      
      
      
          - [Online Regulation Series](https://techagainstterrorism.org/online-regulation-series)
          - [Transparency Reporting Guidelines](https://transparency.techagainstterrorism.org/)
    - [Analysis](https://techagainstterrorism.org/analysis)
- News and Events
  
  
  
    - [News](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news)
- Dispatches by TAT
  
  
  
    - [Dispatches](https://techagainstterrorism.org/dispatches)

[Facebook](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online#0) [Instagram](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online#0) [Linkedin](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/linkedin.com/company/tech-against-terrorism) [X](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online#0) [YouTube](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online#0) [Medium](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online#0)

 1 min read

# Report: Who Designates Terrorism? The Need for Legal Clarity and Transparency to Moderate Terrorist Content Online

[Tech Against Terrorism](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/author/tech-against-terrorism)  Mar 23, 2023 10:55:00 AM

[Terrorism](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/terrorism) [Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports) [Online Regulation](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/online-regulation)

***A new report from Tech Against Terrorism reveals that there has been a limited application of designation when it comes to tackling terrorist content online.***

[Download report](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/TAT-Designation-Report-March-2023.pdf)

‘Designation’ is the international system by which the authorities within a jurisdiction can classify either a group or an individual as ‘terrorist’. It is a legal tool that permits the curtailment of designated entities’ rights, limiting terrorists’ entitlement to travel or receive funds.

However, when it comes to countering terrorists online, tech companies are confronted with the challenge of operating across differing judicial systems with varying approaches to the proscription of terrorists.

Tech companies are therefore forced to navigate this complexity and must ultimately bear the burden of defining terrorist entities: a responsibility that should be borne by governments.

Tech Against Terrorism report's analyses 12 different global designation systems.

We illustrate how some designation lists are rooted in the definition of terrorism whilst others are not. Canada’s list, for example, is dependent on the definition of terrorism and terrorist activity, whilst Germany’s list labels groups as anti-constitutional rather than attributing such groups according to the terrorism definition.

---

##### Key recommendations: 

- Transparent designation systems
  
  Where designating authorities make their list of designated, proscribed, dissolved, or banned organisations both public and easily accessible.

- Clarity on the online terrorist content
  
  Including a clear definition of “terrorist content” in online regulation or Terrorism Acts

- Designation of far-right terrorist entities
  
  Reflecting the emerging threat landscape and responding to the danger stemming from national and trans-national far-right terrorist groups.

- Upholding Human Rights
  
  Ensuring accountability and the right to appeal.

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

- [News (61)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/news)
- [Press Release (33)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/press-release)
- [Tech Responses (10)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/tech-responses)
- [Online Regulation (9)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/online-regulation)
- [Reports (8)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports)
- [Content Moderation (7)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/content-moderation)
- [Terrorism (7)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/terrorism)
- [Regulation (5)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/regulation)

[![Report: Transparency Report for Year One of the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/Report-3.png)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/report-transparency-report-for-year-one-of-the-terrorist-content-analytics-platform-tcap)

#### [Report: Transparency Report for Year One of the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/report-transparency-report-for-year-one-of-the-terrorist-content-analytics-platform-tcap)

[Tech Against Terrorism](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/author/tech-against-terrorism) : Mar 17, 2022 9:58:00 AM

We are delighted to announce the publication of our firstTransparency Reportfor the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP). The TCAP is a tool...

[Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports) 

[Read More](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/report-transparency-report-for-year-one-of-the-terrorist-content-analytics-platform-tcap)

[![Report: TCAP Insights - Patterns of Online Terrorist Exploitation](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/Report-3.png)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/patterns-of-online-terrorist-exploitation)

#### [Report: TCAP Insights - Patterns of Online Terrorist Exploitation](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/patterns-of-online-terrorist-exploitation)

[Tech Against Terrorism](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/author/tech-against-terrorism) : Apr 28, 2023 10:33:04 AM

This report analyses the distribution of terrorist content across different online platforms. The report draws on the Terrorist Content Analytics...

[Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports) 

[Read More](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/patterns-of-online-terrorist-exploitation)

[![Report: Tech Against Terrorism Annual Report 2017-18 (Phase 2)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/Report-3.png)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/annual-report-2017-18-phase-2-report)

#### [Report: Tech Against Terrorism Annual Report 2017-18 (Phase 2)](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/annual-report-2017-18-phase-2-report)

[Tech Against Terrorism](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/author/tech-against-terrorism) : Apr 1, 2018 12:01:00 PM

Report of Tech Against Terrorism's activities in 2017. This was a crucial year for Tech Against Terrorism as it established its strategy to counter...

[Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports) 

[Read More](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/annual-report-2017-18-phase-2-report)

##### Tech Against Terrorism

Tech Against Terrorism

- [About](https://techagainstterrorism.org/about)
- [How we work](https://techagainstterrorism.org/how-we-work)

##### Solutions

Solutions

- [Terrorist Content Analytics Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/terrorist-content-analytics-platform) 
    - [Automated Content Alerts](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-aca)
- [Knowledge Sharing Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-aca)
- Archive Database 
    - [Research Portal](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-adrp)
    - [Content Hash List API](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tcap-adhla)
- [Trusted Flagger Platform](https://techagainstterrorism.org/tfp)
- [Altitude](https://techagainstterrorism.org/altitude)

##### Analysis

Analysis

- [Dispatches by TAT](https://techagainstterrorism.org/dispatches)
- [Podcast](https://podcast.techagainstterrorism.org/)
- [Reports](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/tag/reports)
- [News](https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/news/tag/news)
- [Analysis](https://techagainstterrorism.org/analysis)

##### Contact us

Contact us

[+44 (0)203 858 0377](tel:+442038580377)

[**General enquiries:** contact@techagainstterrorism.org](mailto:contact@techagainstterrorism.org)

[![TAT Black logo - Left](https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/Brand%20and%20icons/TAT%20Black%20logo%20-%20Left.png)](https://techagainstterrorism.org)

- [Privacy Policy](https://techagainstterrorism.org/privacy-policy)

© 2026 Tech Against Terrorism

[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-against-terrorism/) 

Return to top

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Tech Against Terrorism",
    "url" : "https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/author/tech-against-terrorism"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-08-07T10:41:46.766Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-03-23T10:55:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Report: Who Designates Terrorism? The Need for Legal Clarity and Transparency to Moderate Terrorist Content Online",
  "image" : [ "https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/Report-3.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/who-designates-terrorism-the-need-for-legal-clarity-and-transparency-to-moderate-terrorist-content-online",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://techagainstterrorism.org/hubfs/TAT%20Logo-2.png"
    },
    "name" : "Tech Against Terrorism"
  }
}
```