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

April 29, 2021

Recommended Reading: Amazon’s algorithms, conspiracy theories and extremist literature

This briefing shows how algorithms on Amazon amplify harmful content, recommending books on disinformation, conspiracies, and white nationalism.

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Terrorism and Extremism

April 29, 2021

Amazon responds to ISD’s research about the danger of their algorithm recommendations

Chloe Colliver speaks to USA Today on ISD research finding Amazon’s algorithms recommend potentially harmful content to users.

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

April 29, 2020

Algorithm Inspection and Regulatory Access

This paper outlines proposed approaches to achieve new systems for transparency and oversight of algorithm design.

Recommender Systems and Algorithms, Tech Accountability and Safety

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