Institute for Strategic Dialogue
@isdglobal.org
Powering solutions to extremism, hate and authoritarianism since 2006.
764 is a sextortion network which coerces minors into producing Child Sexual Abuse Material and then uses the content to force them into acts of violence, including self-harm. Some cases tragically end in suicide. 🔽
November 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
764 is a sextortion network which coerces minors into producing Child Sexual Abuse Material and then uses the content to force them into acts of violence, including self-harm. Some cases tragically end in suicide. 🔽
ISD joined Canada’s “Megaweek” on “Polarization and Preventing Violent Extremism” with 300+ thought leaders in Toronto. ISD shared insights on domestic extremism challenges, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate.
https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-events/isd-plays-key-role-at-public-safety-canadas-megaweek/
https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-events/isd-plays-key-role-at-public-safety-canadas-megaweek/
October 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
ISD joined Canada’s “Megaweek” on “Polarization and Preventing Violent Extremism” with 300+ thought leaders in Toronto. ISD shared insights on domestic extremism challenges, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate.
https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-events/isd-plays-key-role-at-public-safety-canadas-megaweek/
https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-events/isd-plays-key-role-at-public-safety-canadas-megaweek/
“We need to be ready with solutions,” she said. “The public wants action to protect safety, security and our kids in the digital era. But we must also be honest about how to do that in a way that protects free speech.”
October 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
“We need to be ready with solutions,” she said. “The public wants action to protect safety, security and our kids in the digital era. But we must also be honest about how to do that in a way that protects free speech.”
During the talk, Sasha stressed that platforms prioritize divisive, sensationalist voices routinely over informed and balanced perspectives. The result: distorted public discourse and shrinking space for democratic dialogue.
October 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
During the talk, Sasha stressed that platforms prioritize divisive, sensationalist voices routinely over informed and balanced perspectives. The result: distorted public discourse and shrinking space for democratic dialogue.
ISD CEO Sasha Havlicek joined a recent @openmarkets.bsky.social event for a panel on “The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI.” The discussion tackled how platforms and AI are reshaping public debate, democratic resilience, and online harms.
October 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
ISD CEO Sasha Havlicek joined a recent @openmarkets.bsky.social event for a panel on “The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI.” The discussion tackled how platforms and AI are reshaping public debate, democratic resilience, and online harms.
Catch up on the key digital policy developments from this summer 📣
Our latest roundup highlights 9 updates you should know, drawn from ISD’s Digital Policy Lab’s Policy Digest.
Read the full issue here. www.isdglobal.org/policy-diges...
Our latest roundup highlights 9 updates you should know, drawn from ISD’s Digital Policy Lab’s Policy Digest.
Read the full issue here. www.isdglobal.org/policy-diges...
September 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Catch up on the key digital policy developments from this summer 📣
Our latest roundup highlights 9 updates you should know, drawn from ISD’s Digital Policy Lab’s Policy Digest.
Read the full issue here. www.isdglobal.org/policy-diges...
Our latest roundup highlights 9 updates you should know, drawn from ISD’s Digital Policy Lab’s Policy Digest.
Read the full issue here. www.isdglobal.org/policy-diges...
Between March–May 2025, Canadian extremist accounts posted more than 440K+ times, with activity spiking around elections & US tariffs. In our latest, ISD identified 598 accounts, with ethnonationalist & anti-Muslim content driving the most engagement. More below.
www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
September 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Between March–May 2025, Canadian extremist accounts posted more than 440K+ times, with activity spiking around elections & US tariffs. In our latest, ISD identified 598 accounts, with ethnonationalist & anti-Muslim content driving the most engagement. More below.
www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
ISD and SCRIPTS just mapped the “GerManosphere”—a network of misogynistic online communities in the German-speaking internet. This is the first comprehensive analysis of how these groups operate and spread extremist narratives.
Read the full study: www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
Read the full study: www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
May 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
ISD and SCRIPTS just mapped the “GerManosphere”—a network of misogynistic online communities in the German-speaking internet. This is the first comprehensive analysis of how these groups operate and spread extremist narratives.
Read the full study: www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
Read the full study: www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
After damaging hurricanes in the US, Russian media and social media accounts amplified disinfo — like this AI image of Disney World flooded — and pushed false claims of a poor FEMA response because the US prioritized foreign/migrant aid over Americans. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
October 24, 2024 at 5:36 PM
After damaging hurricanes in the US, Russian media and social media accounts amplified disinfo — like this AI image of Disney World flooded — and pushed false claims of a poor FEMA response because the US prioritized foreign/migrant aid over Americans. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
Our analysis found numerous instances like these of users posting videos online to harass or intimidate migrants, or individuals perceived as immigrants. Far-right actors were found to encourage this, driving others to record, post online to gain ‘clout’ and inspire others.
September 27, 2024 at 9:24 AM
Our analysis found numerous instances like these of users posting videos online to harass or intimidate migrants, or individuals perceived as immigrants. Far-right actors were found to encourage this, driving others to record, post online to gain ‘clout’ and inspire others.
For “Groyper War II”, Fuentes & his fans targeted Truth Social & X during a live Trump/Musk interview on August 12. On a concurrent Rumble stream, Fuentes told fans to boost his posts & promote 4 distinct phrases. Some briefly trended on Truth Social & X. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
September 23, 2024 at 1:32 PM
For “Groyper War II”, Fuentes & his fans targeted Truth Social & X during a live Trump/Musk interview on August 12. On a concurrent Rumble stream, Fuentes told fans to boost his posts & promote 4 distinct phrases. Some briefly trended on Truth Social & X. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
Mentions of riot locations were posted on Telegram before they occurred in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester, suggesting the channels were used to plan protests or draw attention to specific sites. The vertical line on each graph marks the date of the first protest in each location.
September 13, 2024 at 10:44 AM
Mentions of riot locations were posted on Telegram before they occurred in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester, suggesting the channels were used to plan protests or draw attention to specific sites. The vertical line on each graph marks the date of the first protest in each location.
The data shows how Telegram was used to share details about demonstrations and motivate users to attend, reaching tens of thousands of views. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
September 13, 2024 at 10:37 AM
The data shows how Telegram was used to share details about demonstrations and motivate users to attend, reaching tens of thousands of views. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
More than 400 links to other Telegram channels were posted and over 3,000 links to other social media platforms, showing how the far right leveraged a cross-platform ecosystem. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
September 13, 2024 at 10:35 AM
More than 400 links to other Telegram channels were posted and over 3,000 links to other social media platforms, showing how the far right leveraged a cross-platform ecosystem. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
Diverse discussion topics included the Southport attack, the US election and the Israel/Gaza conflict. The most discussed figures were English Defence League (EDL) founder Tommy Robinson, fmr US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
September 13, 2024 at 10:34 AM
Diverse discussion topics included the Southport attack, the US election and the Israel/Gaza conflict. The most discussed figures were English Defence League (EDL) founder Tommy Robinson, fmr US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
Analysts collected nearly 45,000 messages across 55 British far-right Telegram channels in the 10 days before and after the Southport attack.
In the 10 days after the Southport attack, posting activity on far-right Telegram channels rose by 327%. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
In the 10 days after the Southport attack, posting activity on far-right Telegram channels rose by 327%. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
September 13, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Analysts collected nearly 45,000 messages across 55 British far-right Telegram channels in the 10 days before and after the Southport attack.
In the 10 days after the Southport attack, posting activity on far-right Telegram channels rose by 327%. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
In the 10 days after the Southport attack, posting activity on far-right Telegram channels rose by 327%. www.isdglobal.org/digital_disp...
On X, the use of anti-Muslim slurs more than doubled in the ten days after the Southport attack, with over 40,000 posts containing one or more terms.
Anti-Muslim sentiment was also spread on X via hashtags, which collectively received almost five million views.
Anti-Muslim sentiment was also spread on X via hashtags, which collectively received almost five million views.
September 3, 2024 at 12:15 PM
On X, the use of anti-Muslim slurs more than doubled in the ten days after the Southport attack, with over 40,000 posts containing one or more terms.
Anti-Muslim sentiment was also spread on X via hashtags, which collectively received almost five million views.
Anti-Muslim sentiment was also spread on X via hashtags, which collectively received almost five million views.
Analysis of 45,000 posts across 55 British far-right Telegram channels revealed anti-migrant hate rose by 246% and anti-Muslim hate by 276% in the ten days following the attack.
Hateful comments against Muslim and migrant communities peaked on 4 and 5 August.
Hateful comments against Muslim and migrant communities peaked on 4 and 5 August.
September 3, 2024 at 12:14 PM
Analysis of 45,000 posts across 55 British far-right Telegram channels revealed anti-migrant hate rose by 246% and anti-Muslim hate by 276% in the ten days following the attack.
Hateful comments against Muslim and migrant communities peaked on 4 and 5 August.
Hateful comments against Muslim and migrant communities peaked on 4 and 5 August.
ISD analysis found that the Telegram channel was one of many, part of a loose network being used by far-right groups to:
➡️ Disseminate operational advice for would-be rioters
➡️ Distribute locations for further action
➡️ Encourage accelerationist & extremist violence
➡️ Disseminate operational advice for would-be rioters
➡️ Distribute locations for further action
➡️ Encourage accelerationist & extremist violence
August 12, 2024 at 4:43 PM
ISD analysis found that the Telegram channel was one of many, part of a loose network being used by far-right groups to:
➡️ Disseminate operational advice for would-be rioters
➡️ Distribute locations for further action
➡️ Encourage accelerationist & extremist violence
➡️ Disseminate operational advice for would-be rioters
➡️ Distribute locations for further action
➡️ Encourage accelerationist & extremist violence
By reviewing South Africa’s legal framework & social media policies on OGBV and analysing 3 case studies of abusive content on TikTok, X/Twitter & Facebook, ISD found that misogynistic actors often target physical attributes/intelligence to discredit them professionally.
August 7, 2024 at 11:10 PM
By reviewing South Africa’s legal framework & social media policies on OGBV and analysing 3 case studies of abusive content on TikTok, X/Twitter & Facebook, ISD found that misogynistic actors often target physical attributes/intelligence to discredit them professionally.
On TikTok, searching “Southport” recommended “Ali al-Shakati arrested in Southport” as a suggested query. Through these recommender algorithms, platforms amplified misinformation to users who may not otherwise have been exposed, even after the police confirmed the name was false.
July 31, 2024 at 6:06 PM
On TikTok, searching “Southport” recommended “Ali al-Shakati arrested in Southport” as a suggested query. Through these recommender algorithms, platforms amplified misinformation to users who may not otherwise have been exposed, even after the police confirmed the name was false.
When searching for “Southport” on X, the top recommended results included the actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox who had issued calls "to permanently remove Islam from Britain" based on the misidentification of the attacker. His post has received more than 850k views on X.
July 31, 2024 at 6:05 PM
When searching for “Southport” on X, the top recommended results included the actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox who had issued calls "to permanently remove Islam from Britain" based on the misidentification of the attacker. His post has received more than 850k views on X.
The network also exploits TikTok's sounds & audio to evade content moderation, a tactic often used by white supremacists. Some videos used explicitly hateful audio such as speeches by Mussolini & Hitler, while others used coded references like the Christchurch shooter's song.
July 30, 2024 at 2:42 PM
The network also exploits TikTok's sounds & audio to evade content moderation, a tactic often used by white supremacists. Some videos used explicitly hateful audio such as speeches by Mussolini & Hitler, while others used coded references like the Christchurch shooter's song.
These videos often feature AI-generated content to denigrate minorities & promote Nazism, such as an AI-translated speech from Hitler that continues to go viral. Such content helps modernize Nazi propaganda, reach a broader international audience & skirt platform moderation.
July 30, 2024 at 2:41 PM
These videos often feature AI-generated content to denigrate minorities & promote Nazism, such as an AI-translated speech from Hitler that continues to go viral. Such content helps modernize Nazi propaganda, reach a broader international audience & skirt platform moderation.
In addition to physical protests, anti-drag actors have engaged in potentially coordinated petitioning, mirroring previous action by Eric Zemmour’s Reconquête party during the 2022 elections. www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...
July 23, 2024 at 7:20 PM
In addition to physical protests, anti-drag actors have engaged in potentially coordinated petitioning, mirroring previous action by Eric Zemmour’s Reconquête party during the 2022 elections. www.isdglobal.org/isd-publicat...