The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by
extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms to recruit
followers and incite violence. Last week, CEP researchers identified multiple
users and groups promoting neo-Nazi propaganda, antisemitic content, and
violence on the gaming platform and social network Steam.
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Extremist Content Online: Steam Hosts Multiple Groups Promoting Neo-Nazi
Propaganda, Pro-ISIS Content Found On Instagram
(New York, N.Y.) — The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the
methods used by extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms
to recruit followers and incite violence. Last week, CEP researchers identified
multiple users and groups promoting neo-Nazi propaganda, antisemitic content,
and violence on the gaming platform and social network Steam.
In addition, CEP located a Telegram channel that promoted a webstore on the
e-commerce platform Big Cartel selling white supremacist clothing, as well as
dozens of Telegram accounts that celebrated the anniversary of the Oklahoma
City bombing and glorified the bomber.
Further, CEP located a channel on Google-owned YouTube affiliated with the
Greek neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn supporting Rise Above Movement
co-founder Rob Rundo, and multiple accounts on Meta-owned Instagram promoting
ISIS propaganda – including one ISIS video that first appeared online more than
six years ago – and accounts belonging to neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.
Lastly, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) released a new statement
condemning Israel, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh on the main al-Qaeda
propaganda website, and a guide outlining the process of building an improvised
remote detonator was located on JustPaste.It.
Multiple Steam Users and Groups Located that Promote Neo-Nazism, Antisemitism,
Fascism, Violence
In searches conducted on April 17, CEP located 13 groups on the gaming
platform and social media site Steam that promoted the extreme right. Groups
included those that promoted a pro-Nazi propaganda video, the British Union of
Fascists, theNordic Resistance Movement
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, and an anti-technology neo-Nazi group that advocated violence against Jews.
Other accounts promotedantisemitism
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, including a well-known antisemitic caricature and a group name that alleged
that Jews were responsible for the September 11 attacks. Other groups made
multiple references to esoteric neo-Nazism.
CEP also located eight users on Steam who promoted neo-Nazism, antisemitism,
or white supremacy. One account used an image that glorified the 2015
Charleston church shooter. Another account promoted a notorious antisemitic
website. Additional accounts advocated for neo-Nazism, including neo-Nazi
accelerationism. CEP has previously locatedmultiple examples
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of group pages on Steam that promoted white supremacism, fascism, or the
extreme right, of which several had been permitted to remain online for several
years.
Fascist group on Steam. Screenshot taken on April 17, 2023.
Steam’s Content Rules
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prohibit posting “threats of violence or harassment, even as a joke.”
Web Store Operated by Admin of White Supremacist Telegram Channel Removed from
Big Cartel
On April 17, CEP located a store on the e-commerce platform Big Cartel that
the administrator of a white supremacist Telegram channel operated. The store
sold clothing that promoted neo-Nazism and associated themes. The e-commerce
website’s policies prohibit content that is “obscene, hateful, threatening” or
that “promote(s)…discriminatory or malicious activity.” Big Cartel swiftly
removed the store after CEP reported it.
White Supremacist and Neo-Nazi Telegram Accounts Celebrate Anniversary of
Oklahoma City Bombing
On April 19, dozens of white supremacist and neo-Nazi Telegram accounts
celebrated the 28th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing. Channels and chat
users posted content glorifying the perpetrator of the attack,Timothy McVeigh
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, including referring to him as a “saint” to be emulated and calling for
additional acts of terrorist violence.
YouTube Channel Affiliated with Golden Dawn Posts Video Supporting Rob Rundo
On April 9, a YouTube channel affiliated with the Greek neo-Nazi political
partyGolden Dawn
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posted a video supporting AmericanRob Rundo
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and advertising a website that sells neo-Nazi clothing. Rundo, the co-founder
of theRise Above Movement
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and founder of the network of active clubs, was taken into custody in Romania
in March after a U.S. court issued a new indictment against him in January. The
video condemned “globalists who threaten our race” and contained a soundtrack
from a white power band and had over 1,600 views within 11 days.
Pro-ISIS and White Supremacist Accounts Located On Instagram
In a sample of content located on Instagram on April 19, CEP researchers found
five pro-ISIS and five white supremacist accounts on Meta-owned Instagram. The
pro-ISIS accounts posted clips taken from officialISIS
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videos, a video advertising the URL of an ISIS website, and ISIS audio. One
account posted clips of executions as an Instagram story. The footage was
originally from the ISIS video “Deterring the Hired 2,” released on October 15,
2016. The pro-ISIS accounts had an average of 343 followers.
Clip including execution scene from the ISIS video Deterring the Hired 2,”
originally released on October 15, 2016, available as a “story” in Instagram.
Screenshot taken on April 19, 2023.
White supremacist accounts on Instagram included one for an active club
chapter inGermany
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and one in the U.S.’s plains region. Both accounts included white supremacist
symbols and had 188 and 145 followers, respectively. CEP has previously found
multiple
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other active club accounts on Instagram that the platform has not removed.
CEP also located an Instagram account for the Australian neo-Nazi group
National Socialist Network, which hasstated
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that they support “white revolution” for the purpose of taking power, with
almost 200 followers. CEP also located an account recruiting for the White
Lives Matter Movement, with 81 followers. An Instagram account was also found
for a notorious now deceased anti-civilization neo-Nazi who promoted the book
Siege
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and acts of sexual violence. A previous account belonging to the same neo-Nazi
was removed approximately three years ago.
CEP reported all 10 accounts to Instagram on April 19. Two pro-ISIS accounts
were removed. All five accounts that promoted white supremacism, including the
active club profiles, were still available on April 24.
AQIS Releases Statement
On April 18, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent
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(AQIS) released a statement on the main al-Qaeda propaganda website condemning
Israel for “desecrating the al-Aqsa Mosque and torturing the worshippers
(present).” The communique stated that similar events are occurring in India,
Pakistan, and Bangladesh and specifically accused India of trying to eliminate
Islam. The post called for reaffirming religious faith and warned that
religious scholars must follow through on their words and avoid hypocrisy.
Instructions for Making Explosive Detonators Located On JustPaste.It
On April 12, CEP researchers located a page on JustPaste.It that contained
instructions for the homemade manufacture of detonators for explosive devices
using commercially available two-way radios. The page was published by the pro-
ISIS
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online group al-Saqri Foundation, which publishes guides on the homemade
creation of explosive devices, poisons, and other information helpful in
committing acts of terrorism. The page received over 200 views within two days.
JustPaste.It removed the page after CEP reported it. CEP researchers found a
similar
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set of instructions on December 5.
Al-Saqri post on JustPaste.It, screenshot taken on April 12.
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