Terrorist groups have found a home on smaller, less well-known online platforms in recent years where they store, share, and link to content such as violent beheading videos and recruitment propaganda.

In the ongoing battle against online terrorism, a new tool has emerged to tackle the growing presence of extremist content on smaller internet platforms. Developed by Jigsaw, a subsidiary of Google specializing in tracking violent extremism, misinformation, and repressive censorship, in collaboration with Tech Against Terrorism, Altitude is a free tool designed to empower smaller platforms in efficiently detecting and removing terrorist content.

Launched in Paris on Friday, Altitude addresses the challenge faced by less-regulated platforms that lack the resources and expertise to effectively combat the proliferation of terrorist content. It also collaborates with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, an industry-led group founded by Facebook, Microsoft, X/Twitter, and YouTube.

Major tech platforms like Facebook and Google, with the assistance of NGOs and law enforcement, have made strides in removing terrorist content from their networks. However, smaller and under-resourced platforms have become havens for such content, where their presence often goes unnoticed or unaddressed due to resource constraints.

Yasmin Green, CEO of Jigsaw, emphasizes the persistent efforts of terrorist groups on the internet, stating, “Islamic State and other terrorist groups didn’t give up on the internet just because they no longer had the megaphone of their social media platforms. They went elsewhere.“

Altitude sets itself apart by offering a cost-effective solution for smaller companies. Unlike some existing tools in the market that are financially prohibitive, Altitude is open source and free of charge.

The tool seamlessly integrates into the backend of the platforms it collaborates with, connecting to Tech Against Terrorism’s Terrorist Content Analytics Platform. This centralized database allows platforms using Altitude to efficiently verify whether specific content has been flagged as terrorist material.

Altitude not only facilitates content removal but also provides context about associated terrorist groups, examples of similar material, actions taken by other platforms, and information on relevant laws in specific regions. Adam Hadley, Executive Director of Tech Against Terrorism, emphasizes, “We want to improve the quality of response. This isn’t about the volume of material removed but ensuring that the very worst material is removed in a way that is supporting the rule of law.“

Tech Against Terrorism, working with over 100 platforms, maintains confidentiality due to the potential negative impact on business associated with terrorist content. These platforms include pastebins, messaging apps, video-sharing platforms, social media networks, and forums.

The Altitude tool aims to address the overwhelming challenge faced by smaller platforms in handling takedown requests from various sources, ensuring a balanced approach that respects freedom of expression while tackling terror content effectively.

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Telegram continues to be a platform for terrorist groups. Altitude seeks to play a crucial role in alerting other platforms to terrorist activity and providing the necessary information to remove such material appropriately. Adam Hadley states, “Ideally, the content wouldn’t be put up on Telegram in the first place. But given that it is, the next best thing we can do is make sure that other platforms…are aware of this activity and have the right information to take down the material in an appropriate fashion.”