Hate and polarisation

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In the Blind Spot – How right-wing extremists use alternative platforms for radicalisation

This report provides a summary of the first annual expert conference "Im toten Winkel - Wie Rechtsextreme alternative Online-Plattformen zur Radikalisierung nutzen" (In the blind spot - How right-wing extremists use alternative online platforms for radicalisation), which took place as part of the project "Radikalisierung in rechtsextremen Onlinesubkulturen entgegentreten" (Countering radicalisation in right-wing extremist online subcultures), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ). 

Telegram as a Buttress: How far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists are expanding their infrastructures via Telegram

Telegram has become the central alternative platform for German language right-wing extremists. Over time, the messenger service has adopted social media functions that turned it into a hybrid platform. The promised anonymity and lack of moderation makes the platform attractive for extremists. This report researches, how the far-right online milieu in the German-speaking world is using Telegram.

Signposts – A background report on right-wing extremist online subcultures 

This report discusses the context of the ISD research project “Countering Radicalisation in Far-Right Online Subcultures”, which deals with German right-wing extremists and their use of alternative platforms. It gives a historical overview of the German far-right’s online activities, describes methodological foundations and presents a summary of interviews that informed the project’s research.  

Escape Routes: How far-right actors circumvent the Network Enforcement Act 

For this study, the online milieu of radical right-wing and extreme right-wing actors was investigated with particular regard to its linking strategies to alternative platforms. The aim of the analysis was to make the cosmos of online platforms used by extreme right-wing and radical right-wing actors accessible.   

Detours and Diversions Online Strategies for the Dissemination of Right-Wing Extremist Content

"Detours and Diversions" presents the key findings of the project "Countering Radicalisation in Right-Wing Extremist Online Subcultures", which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ). The report includes the comparative analysis of the empirical data, technical challenges and methodological context. 

Evaluating Platform Abortion-Related Speech Policies: Were Platforms Prepared for the Post-Dobbs Environment?

ISD evaluates the actions taken by four major social platforms to protect their users from abortion care misinformation, while exploring the scale and reach of this content – particularly leading up to Roe v. Wade being overturned.

She Drops: How QAnon Conspiracy Theories Legitimize Coordinated and Targeted Gender Based Violence

This report examines the role of gender-based violence against celebrities targeted by the QAnon community: Chrissy Teigen, Tom Hanks, Ellen DeGeneres and more.

La campagne de l’intimidation : étude de cas des violences numériques envers les candidats aux élections de 2022

Cette recherche cherche à comprendre l’intersection entre événements hors ligne et violence en ligne sur Facebook pour plusieurs candidats aux élections législatives.

Auf Odysee: Die Rolle von Blockchain-Technologie für die Monetarisierung im rechtsextremen Onlinemilieu

Verfassungsfeindliche Inhalte verbreiten und damit sogar Geld verdienen? Über schwankende Kryptowährungen, die Sehnsucht nach Regulierungsfreiheit und den besonderen Reiz der Video-Plattform Odysee auf Rechtsextreme, »Querdenker« und Verschwörungsideolog:innen

Cash for Comments: How YouTube’s Super Chats Enable the Platform & Creators to Profit from Conspiracies, Misinformation & Calls for Violence

This report features research examining the use and misuse of YouTube Super Chats that enables the platform and creators to profit from live chat feeds promoting violence, conspiracies, misinformation and hate.