Best Tech Against Terrorism Podcasts (2024)

1
The Persistence of Pro-IS Propaganda in Southeast Asia 40:10

4M ago40:10

40:10

In this week’s episode we’re looking at how IS and al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist groups in Southeast Asia continue to exploit online platforms to disseminate propaganda, even as attacks in the region decline. We explore the history of militant Islamist activities in the region, as well as the key players; Why and how these groups and their supporte…

1
Escaping the Incelosphere 39:59

4M ago39:59

39:59

In this week’s episode, we’re returning to the topic of incels to explore the online spaces aiming to help individuals leave this violent misogynistic community. We start by providing a refresher on incel ideology, but if you want a deep dive we recommend first listening to the episode linked below. This time, we focus on tools for deradicalisation…

1
Online Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate and its Offline Consequences 32:41

5M ago32:41

32:41

In this week’s episode we’re looking at the spread and normalisation of anti-LGBTQ+ hate online, and its dramatic, real-life consequences. The hysteria promoted by extremists around a so-called gay or trans agenda has led to a societal and legislative backlash for LGBTQ+ people in the US. And the hate has festered in the most mainstream of online s…

1
Is Terrorist Use of Cryptocurrencies Overblown? 31:29

5M ago31:29

31:29

There has been a lot of concern about how cryptocurrencies are used by terrorist groups to finance their operations, especially since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7th. So in this week’s episode, we’re investigating that question – do terrorist groups actually use cryptocurrency? We discuss what is known about terrorist financing, where the h…

1
HOPE Not Hate: Insights from Inside the Far-Right 35:22

6M ago35:22

35:22

In this week’s episode, we’re getting unique insights into the state of the far-right in the UK. The advocacy and research organisation HOPE Not Hate is known for its tireless work countering extremism and hate through research, intelligence, campaigning and community engagement. This work has involved infiltrating and exposing extremist movements …

1
Mapping Far-Right Terrorist Propaganda Online 35:09

6M ago35:09

35:09

In this week’s episode, we’re delving into the key trends of the past three years in how online users disseminate far-right terrorist propaganda online. From gamification to Generative AI, we’ll be sharing findings from our upcoming report – TCAP Insights: Mapping Far-Right Terrorist Propaganda Online. Archie Macfarlane is joined by Adam Donald, TC…

1
Foiled Plots in the UK: How Terrorists Fail 38:01

7M ago38:01

38:01

Since 2017, the UK has seen fifteen terrorist attacks – from the Manchester Arena bombing to the Dover firebomb attack. But during that time, more than twice as many attacks have also been foiled. So in this week’s episode, we’re looking at terror plotters in the UK. We are delving into the case studies of two very young plotters who were largely r…

1
Active Clubs: Fitness, Fraternity, and Fascism 28:02

7M ago28:02

28:02

In this week’s episode, we’re introducing you to a new kind of far-right group – Active Clubs. Their unique pitch combines fitness, fraternity and fascism. We map out the origins and rapid growth of the movement, how they have utilised social media to create chapters globally, and their appealing offer to younger men in particular. Archie Macfarlan…

1
Media Jihad: Islamic State's Resurgent Propaganda Network 38:59

8M ago38:59

38:59

In this week’s episode, we are delving into Islamic State’s global propaganda network. We map the group’s media apparatus, unpacking the term “media Jihad” to understand the role of pro-IS online networks in waging its propaganda war. We highlight the centrality of Islamic State Khorasan Province, also known as ISKP, in reinvigorating IS’s propagan…

1
God, Guns and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America 38:56

8M ago38:56

38:56

In this week’s episode, we look at how the far-right threat has intersected with their exploitation of technology over the past 40 years or so. We trace the far-right's experimentation with technology back to white supremacists in 1980s America, discuss the revolutionary effect of social media on far-right terrorism , and explore the risks of viole…

1
How has the Online Dissemination of Jihadist Propaganda Evolved? 29:06

9M ago29:06

29:06

In this week’s episode, we’re revisiting how Islamist terrorist groups disseminate propaganda online. We look at the tactics these groups use to ensure their propaganda remains online and reaches as wide an audience as possible. And we find out how platforms are fighting back. Join Archie Macfarlane as he speaks with Dr. Stuart Macdonald, professor…

1
What is White Jihadism? 21:16

9M ago21:16

21:16

In this week’s episode, we investigate the term ‘White Jihad,’ the seemingly paradoxical interaction between white supremacy and Jihadism online. We ask how this loose online community emerged, who it attracts, and what can be done to counter it. Join Archie Macfarlane as he speaks with Dr. Federico Borgonovo, a research-analyst at ITSTIME, the Ita…

1
Why Media Reporting on Terrorism Matters 33:24

10M ago33:24

33:24

In this week’s episode, we ask why media reporting on terrorism matters, discussing the research on media coverage of terrorist attacks and suicides, the potentially harmful effects on society, and what guidelines can be put in place to ensure more responsible media reporting, including on social media. Join Archie Macfarlane as he speaks with Dr. …

1
Why is the Great Replacement Theory so Dangerous? 20:32

11M ago20:32

20:32

In this week’s episode, we discuss the Great Replacement Theory (GRT), a conspiracy theory which asserts that there is an orchestrated plan to replace native European and North American populations with non-white immigrants. We unpack why this narrative has become central to the worldview of the global far-right, how it has spread online; and to wh…

1
The Ethics of Content Moderation: Who Should Decide What We Say Online? 27:37

12M ago27:37

27:37

In this week's episode, we discuss the challenges and complexities of content moderation in the online space, asking who gets to decide what we say online and why. We situate this debate in the context of tech platforms facing ever-increasing pressure to moderate content that is considered harmful or otherwise undesirable. We delve into the mechani…

1
Nordic Extremism 29:53

12M ago29:53

29:53

In this week’s episode, we discuss the state of extremism in the Nordic region. We focus on Sweden as the long-term epicentre of regional far-right extremism, and explore the Nordic Resistance Movement’s (NRM) evolution. We also discuss the role of online platforms in amplifying NRM’s reach and radicalising supporters to violence and what can be do…

1
Extremist Manifestos with J.M. Berger 21:09

1y ago21:09

21:09

In this week’s episode, we delve into extremist manifestos and how they’ve been used by perpetrators of violent attacks to promote their ideology and inspire further violence and hatred. We cover the evolution of manifestos as a terrorist tactic, discuss different authors and styles, and focus on the role of the internet in amplifying their reach a…

1
The Power of Conspiracies 30:23

1y ago30:23

30:23

This week’s episode explores conspiracy theories, and their potency as tools of persuasion. We examine how conspiratorial narratives are common across extremist propaganda throughout history and their role in justifying and motivating violence towards certain groups. We also discuss how the internet has influenced the narrative power of conspiracie…

1
What is the #tradwives Movement? 21:00

1y ago21:00

21:00

This week’s episode focuses on the ways in which gender identity is discussed and expressed within different segments of the online far-right. We investigate the #tradwives movement - a social media trend used by far-right supporters to promote traditional gender roles, discuss its ideological roots, and consider the challenges for moderating such …

1
Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K): A Growing Threat? 23:05

1y ago23:05

23:05

This week’s episode focuses on Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K), a regional affiliate of Islamic State primarily active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We discuss the group in the context of the Taliban takeover two years ago, assessing the threat posed by the group to the region and to the West. We also focus on IS-K’s online activity and the i…

1
Institutionalising Counterterrorism Practitioner Welfare 29:21

1y ago29:21

29:21

This week, we're discussing the unique psychological risks that exist for those working in the field of online counterterrorism. We provide practical guidance for identifying, understanding and combating trauma and other mental health issues associated with exposure to terrorist material, and explore the roles and responsibilities of both practitio…

1
Islamic State Online: Emerging Trends and Tactics 20:57

1y ago20:57

20:57

This week, we're investigating the online activity of Islamic State (IS), an Islamist terrorist organisation renowned for its highly sophisticated media strategy and exploitation of the internet to disseminate its propaganda and recruit members. We'll be examining how IS and its supporter networks have evolved in their use of the internet, what pla…

1
Tuning in to Hate: How Extremists Utilise Podcasts 33:57

1+ y ago33:57

33:57

This week, we’re investigating the use of podcasts by extremist actors, a growing and concerning trend, which, over the last decade or so, has seen extremists leveraging this medium to spread their ideology, recruit followers and network with like minded individuals. Our expert guests expose how extremist groups and networks on the far-right have c…

1
“Going Mainstream”: The Role of the Internet in Mainstreaming Extremist Ideas 31:35

1+ y ago31:35

31:35

This week, we’re exploring the role of the internet in the mainstreaming of radical ideas, which are increasingly infiltrating politics and popular culture. We also get a deeper insight into online extremist communities to understand what’s driving these ideas and how radicalisation is occurring. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr Julia Ebner, a…

1
Gaming & Extremism: Identity Fusion 20:37

1+ y ago20:37

20:37

This week, we’re diving deeper into the nexus between gaming and extremism, exploring how gaming culture, storylines and symbols are being appropriated by extremist actors, and unpacking the concept of ‘identity fusion’: the phenomenon whereby players emotionally and psychologically merge their real-life identity with that of their in-game avatar o…

1
Gaming & Extremism: Threats and Opportunities 26:00

1+ y ago26:00

26:00

This week, we’re exploring the interaction between gaming and extremism. We discuss the growing misuse of gaming platforms by extremist actors and consider why gaming communities are at risk of fostering concerning attitudes towards misogyny, racism, and even violent extremism. We address the threat to children and young people, the challenges and …

1
Inside Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s Resurgence 24:27

1+ y ago24:27

24:27

This week, we’re exploring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban - an Islamist terrorist organisation known for its violent activities and ideological alignment with the Afghan Taliban. In the episode, we discuss TTP’s evolution, its recent resurgence, and how it’s using propaganda to further its strategic goals. We’ll also unpa…

1
An Uncertain Future: Deepfakes and Extremism 22:50

1+ y ago22:50

22:50

This week, we’re discussing the rapidly evolving phenomenon of deepfakes powered by generative AI technology. We explore how deepfakes are being manipulated for malign purposes, including by terrorist and violent extremist actors. And we consider how this threat might develop as technology improves and what this means for terrorist propaganda, onli…

1
Extremist Memes: The Dark Side of Internet Culture 37:43

1+ y ago37:43

37:43

This week, we’re exploring the use of memes in the context of terrorism and violent extremism. Throughout the episode, we consider why memes are being used by terrorist and violent extremist actors, how they’re spread online and why their meaning is often hidden to ordinary internet users. We also look at some of the challenges this poses for tech …

1
Sanitising Extremism: “Borderline Content” and Antisemitism Online 32:02

1+ y ago32:02

32:02

This week, we’re looking into the contested term “borderline content”, using antisemitism as a case study for how terrorist and violent extremist (TVE) actors sanitise extremist content. We learn more about what borderline content is in practice, its strategic use for TVE actors, and what makes it so difficult to moderate. We also consider the pote…

1
The Information War: Online Disinformation Around the Conflict in Ukraine 31:21

1+ y ago31:21

31:21

This week, we’re exploring the spread of online disinformation in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We unpack the shifting online ecosystem around the conflict, and track pro-Kremlin narratives and disinformation campaigns both domestically and abroad. We also ask who’s behind these narratives and on which platforms they are being s…

1
The Canada Centre: Building Resilience Against Terrorism and Violent Extremism 19:18

1+ y ago19:18

19:18

This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast, we’re heading to Canada to speak to two of the country's leading experts who are working to counter terrorism and violent extremism through the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence. Hear how the centre leads the Government of Canada's efforts to counter radicalisation to …

1
The Challenge of Hybrid Threats Online 23:40

1+ y ago23:40

23:40

With the help of our expert guests, we explore what hybrid threats are in the context of online terrorism and violent extremism. We consider why this hybridisation has increased in recent years and how online extremism has blurred and overlapped with other online harms such as disinformation and conspiracy theory movements. We also touch on “grey a…

1
Regulating Online Harms in India 40:19

1+ y ago40:19

40:19

This week, we’re looking at how the internet is regulated in India. We consider what the current landscape looks like, what this means for tech platforms operating in the market and how this is impacting platforms’ online counterterrorism and content moderation efforts. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Tanmay Singh, Senior Litigation Counsel at t…

1
Combating Terrorist Use of File-Sharing 31:06

1+ y ago31:06

31:06

This week, we’re looking at how violent Islamist organisations such as Islamic State disseminate propaganda online, particularly through the exploitation of file-sharing platforms. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Professor Stuart Macdonald and Connor Rees from Swansea University about their data-driven research which explores pro-IS use of file-…

1
The Deplatforming Debate 20:28

2y ago20:28

20:28

This week, we’re exploring the concept of deplatforming. We explain what deplatforming is, how tech company attitudes towards content removal have evolved over the years and consider whether there’s a case for allowing some “borderline” content to remain on platforms. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Dr Joe Whittaker, a lecturer in Cyber Threats,…

1
2022 Trends In Terrorist Behaviour Online 31:02

2y ago31:02

31:02

This week, we look back at some of the key trends and developments in terrorist and violent extremist use of the internet in 2022. We’ll be sharing findings from our “state of play” report which highlights shifts in terrorist behaviour and tactics online. Join Anne Craanen as she speaks to Tech Against Terrorism’s Charley, Rory and Arthur about dev…

1
The Growing Threat of Misogyny and Gender-based Abuse Online 24:26

2y ago24:26

24:26

This week, we’re exploring the topic of online misogyny. With gender-based abuse in online spaces becoming a growing problem, we explore why misogynist views are so prominent online, the emotional impact of online harms, and what tech platforms can do to counter violent misogynistic content and protect victims from abuse. We also explore why misogy…

1
Researcher Safety and Mental Health in Online Counterterrorism 26:40

2y ago26:40

26:40

This week, we’re exploring the topic of researcher safety and mental health, focusing on the particular difficulties facing those working with terrorist or violent extremist content. We ask whether there’s enough awareness around the subject, and what can be done, both individually and institutionally, to protect the emotional wellbeing and safety …

1
OSINT: How our Analysts are Disrupting Terrorism Online 31:14

2y ago31:14

31:14

This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes to learn more about the work of our Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Analysts who are responsible for tracking, analysing and alerting terrorist and violent extremist activity online. We share what a typical day in the life of an OSINT analyst looks like, some of th…

1
The Decentralised Web 27:34

2y ago27:34

27:34

This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast we’re exploring the decentralised web. We discuss what the decentralised web is, its potential benefits for users, and whether terrorists and violent extremists are exploiting these technologies. We also consider future threats relating to exploitation of the decentralised web, and how tech companies …

1
Terrorist Operated Websites 24:03

2y ago24:03

24:03

This week on the Tech Against Terrorism podcast we’re exploring the threat of terrorist operated websites (TOWs). We discuss what TOWs are, what features they offer, and what role they play in wider terrorist and violent extremist exploitation of the internet. We also discuss why removing websites is so legally and ethically complicated and require…

1
The Dark Web 24:18

2y ago24:18

24:18

Welcome back to the Tech Against Terrorism podcast. For our first episode back, we’re taking a deep dive into the dark web. We discuss what the dark web is, who’s using it, plus consider the extent to which it’s exploited by terrorist actors. We also discuss how the dark web is regulated, consider future threats and whether it’s an area the tech se…

1
Trailer: Tech Against Terrorism 1:15

2y ago1:15

1:15

The Tech Against Terrorism podcast is returning on Thursday 13th October. Join us every other week as we unpick how terrorists and violent extremists are exploiting the darkest corners of the internet and what can be done to support the tech sector to disrupt this threat.By Tech Against Terrorism

1
The TCAP: A Tool to Tackle Terrorist Content 33:18

2+ y ago33:18

33:18

For the final episode of Season 2 of the podcast we’re taking a closer look at a tool developed by Tech Against Terrorism called the Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP). We learn what the TCAP is, why it was set up, and how it’s used to automate the swift detection and removal of verified terrorist content on tech platforms. During the epis…

1
Can Tech Platforms Rely on Algorithms to Remove Terrorist Content? 46:22

2+ y ago46:22

46:22

On this week’s episode, we’re exploring the role of automated solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tackling terrorist and violent extremist content and activity online. With the help of our expert guests, we delve into the historical use of machine learning algorithms for content moderation purposes, look at how they’ve developed over the …

1
Debunking Russian Disinformation on “Denazification” of Ukraine (SPECIAL EPISODE) 35:35

2+ y ago35:35

35:35

This week we’re bringing you a special episode investigating the conflict in Ukraine. We unpack the truth around violent extremist elements operating in Ukraine amid the online information war that’s been unfolding. We speak to experts who expose the Russian claims of denazification as state-sponsored disinformation, and interrogate the reality of …

1
Is Official Terrorist Content Illegal Online? Terrorist Designation and the Online Realm 59:50

2+ y ago59:50

59:50

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we’re looking at terrorist designation. We analyse different countries’ designation systems and discuss how they can be improved. We consider the role designation plays in the fight against terrorism and how it can be used as a tool to tackle terrorist content online. Anne Craanen is joined by two experts on d…

1
Navigating a Fragmented Regulatory Landscape 39:10

2+ y ago39:10

39:10

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we’re looking at online regulation. We consider why regulation is so important, how the landscape has evolved, and focus on some of the specific challenges around regulating terrorist content online. We also touch on influential regulation that’s been recently adopted as well as regulation that’s currently bei…

1
Tech Policy Evolution & The Human Side of Moderating Terrorist Content (PART 2) 30:10

2+ y ago30:10

30:10

Welcome back to part 2 of our deep dive into tech platform policy around countering terrorism and violent extremism. In this episode, we’re getting insight from Zoom and Clubhouse into how their community standards have been developed with tackling harmful content in mind. In this episode, Anne Craanen speaks to Jessica Mason, Head of Global Policy…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tech Against Terrorism Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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