For 20 years, ISD has delivered field-leading threat detection, analysis and real-world strategies to combat terrorism, extremism and authoritarianism - in all their ideological forms.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms

ISD’s research explores how algorithms and generative AI can amplify terrorist content as well as weaponised hate and influence operations across online platforms. This offers valuable insights into potential risks to democratic processes and extremist indoctrination. Our advisory work on social media algorithms explores solutions to these challenges including changes to policies and platform designs, as well as greater transparency through mechanisms including algorithmic audits.

May 5, 2026

Amplifying Antisemitism: How Recommender Algorithms Serve Harmful Content to Children

This research investigates how recommender algorithms on TikTok and Rumble expose UK minors to antisemitic content.

Antisemitism, Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

May 2, 2026

Recommendation systems and the rapid exposure to antisemitism online

Antisemitism, Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

January 20, 2026

Men, algorithms and how YouTube shapes media consumption

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

October 27, 2025

Popular chatbots are citing Russian state propaganda

Recommender Systems and Algorithms

July 11, 2025

AI blurs reality amid Iran-Israel conflict

Emerging Technologies, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Recommender Systems and Algorithms

June 12, 2025

ISD highlights information operations trends and AI use amid LA protests

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Recommender Systems and Algorithms

May 20, 2025

Recruited by algorithms and AI: Terrorists in the West are getting younger

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Terrorism and Extremism

May 6, 2025

ISD’s Q1 2025 analysis of Russian-aligned Operation Overload featured in The Washington Post

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Recommender Systems and Algorithms

April 9, 2025

WEF highlights panel on platform accountability featuring ISD CEO Sasha Havlicek

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

Further Reading

November 6, 2022

ISD research features in BBC investigation on election misinformation

BBC's Marianna Spring led an investigation across major social media platforms using 5 personas representing different US political views.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

October 3, 2022

How platforms’ systems contributed to the rise of manosphere influencer Andrew Tate

ISD's Tim Squirrell spoke to Nicky Woolf for Tortoise's Slow News podcast, discussing the rise of manosphere influencer Andrew Tate.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms

September 21, 2022

Meta decreased in value but remains “dominant and important” around the world

ISD's Jared Holt speaks with Axios about why despite decline among "some demographics," Meta's powers and influence will persist.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety, Tech Legislation and Regulation

September 14, 2022

Financial gain and legitimacy: How far-right publishers are benefitting from Amazon

ISD's Elise Thomas spoke to ABC about how Amazon is once again failing to stop the amplification of these extremist books on their platform.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety, Terrorism and Extremism

August 26, 2022

Platforms’ content moderation efforts fall short in Kenya

The Standard cites ISD research in their reporting on Kenya's information landscape and the potential danger posed by large social media platforms.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety, Tech Legislation and Regulation

August 16, 2022

404: RELIABLE INFORMATION NOT FOUND

ISD research shows Facebook and Twitter are directing users searching for Ukraine news to pro-Kremlin content and unverified sources.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

June 22, 2022

Social media business models inducing hate and polarisation online

ISD’s Iris Boyer joined a panel on France’s LCP discussing the spread of online hate and the role social networks play.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety

May 10, 2022

Unprompted and unwarranted: YouTube’s algorithm is putting young men at risk in Australia

This Dispatch reveals ISD's findings on YouTube's recommendations for young Australian men, including anti-trans and misogynistic content.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

April 27, 2022

Algorithms as a Weapon Against Women: How YouTube Lures Boys and Young Men into the ‘Manosphere’

This research shows how YouTube’s algorithmic recommendations promote misogynistic and extremist content to Australian boys and young men.

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Misogyny, Recommender Systems and Algorithms

February 21, 2022

Algorithms and pandemic pressure: The perfect storm on social media

ISD's CEO Sasha Havlicek went on BBC Radio 4’s series ‘Death by Conspiracy’ discussing the effects of the changing social media algorithmic landscape.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

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