Four major internet companies have agreed to create a common database to identify terrorist propaganda. German government officials have claimed that social media operators are "too slow" in removing illicit content.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/O. Berg
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Plagued by growing terrorist recruitment on social media platforms, Facebook, YouTube, Microsoft and Twitter on Tuesday announced renewed efforts to curb the distribution of content used to propagate extremism.
In a statement, the companies said they will create a database to store unique digital "fingerprints" of content deemed to terrorist in nature.
"We hope this collaboration will lead to greater efficiency as we continue to enforce our policies to help curb the pressing global issue of terrorist content online," the technology companies said in a statement.
Facebook spokeswoman Sally Aldous said the new program set to begin in early 2017 aims to tackle the "most obvious" content used by groups hoping to fuel terrorism.
"We really are going after the most obvious serious content that is shared online - that is, the kind of recruitment videos and beheading videos more likely to be against all our content policies," she said.
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'Too slow'
The program comes amid increasing pressure from Western governments to remove extremist content from social media platforms.
German Justice Minister Heiko Maas in October threatened social media operators with legal repercussions if they fail to remove hate speech, saying that removal of illicit content has been "too slow."
However, the amount of content circulating online, along with concerns of undermining free speech, has challenged social media companies' ability to quickly and effectively remove such content.
"Since the middle of 2015, we have suspended more than 360,000 accounts for violating Twitter's policy on violent threats and the promotion of terrorism," said Sinead McSweeney, vice president of public policy at Twitter.
"A large portion of these accounts have been removed by technical means, including our proprietary spam-fighting tools," McSweeney added.
The four companies said they plan to involve additional entities in the future.
What is 'IS'?
Ravaging Syria and Iraq, the terrorist organization "Islamic State" frequently makes it into the news due to its brutality. But who are they? And how strong are they? We've compiled answers to the most important FAQs.
What is 'Islamic State'?
A breakaway from terrorist organization al Qaeda, "Islamic State" is a Sunni militant group that is believed to have formed in response to disillusionment and frustration due to the failed rule of governments in Syria and Iraq. Its flag reads "Muhammad is the prophet of God" and "There is no god apart from Allah" - lines that are valid for all Muslims, not just "IS."
Image: AP
Where is the 'Islamic State' active?
The "Islamic State" aims to create a "caliphate" - a state where the traditional values of Islam and Sharia law must be adhered to. Due to the instability of regions in Syria and Iraq, the "Islamic State" has been able to capture land in the two countries.
What makes the 'Islamic State' different?
A key difference is the brutality "Islamic State" has used to strike fear into its enemies and innocents by cruel beheadings and ruthless violence. In contrast to this, it is said to govern the regions it takes over. As Middle East expert Shadi Hamid told PBS: "They provide social services. They run local government. They provide some modicum of law and order."
Image: gebphotography - Fotolia.com
How does 'Islamic State' relate to other terrorist groups?
Though "IS" is active in Syria and Iraq, the Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram recently declared its support. It's like a competition in cruelty: while Boko Haram is responsible for 13,000 deaths, "IS" has injured or killed at least 24,000 people. Terrorist group al Qaeda has distanced itself from "IS" with its offshoot Nusra Front even fighting against "IS".
Image: Getty Images/A. Katib
What about its followers?
Something else that distinguishes the "IS" is its followers. More than 20,000 foreign fighters have joined the group, with more than 4,000 come from Western Europe and North America, according to an ICSR report. Here are the countries where most people have gone to fight. But, there are more fighters per capita heading to fight from some smaller countries like Sweden and Belgium.
What are Western governments doing to stop 'Islamic State'?
Since August 2014, a US-led coalition has carried out airstrikes on "Islamic State" targets in Syria (1,422 strikes) and Iraq (2,242 strikes), according to a BBC report. Some governments have also been active within their own countries: Germany is set to prosecute at least 30 suspected militants returning from Syria, while Saudi Arabia, for example, arrested 93 suspected militants in April 2015.
