The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by
extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms to recruit....
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Extremist Content Online: Pro-ISIS Group Releases Two Propaganda Videos
Responding To Netflix’s “Mosul”
(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, a pro-ISIS propaganda
channel on Telegram released two videos titled “The Battle of Mosul” and “Mosul
Another Perspective” that responded toNetflix’
<[link removed]>s release of the movie
<[link removed]> “Mosul,” which is
based on the true story of an Iraqi police SWAT team fighting ISIS in 2017.
In addition, CEP researchers located a guide from the pro-ISIS tech group
Electronic Horizons Foundation (EHF) for using the open-source messenger
Element. Also, CEP researchers located two bomb-making guides on the Internet
Archive posted by an individual praising ISIS and encouraging terrorist
attacks. Additionally, CEP researchers have located accounts on the social
media site Parler belonging to theNational Socialist Order
<[link removed]>
(NSO),Nordic Resistance Movement
<[link removed]> (NRM),
and theNationalist Social Club
<[link removed]>
(NSC), including NSO content that encouraged shooting politicians, committing
vehicular attacks against protesters, attacks on electrical infrastructure, and
violence against anti-fascist activists.
Meanwhile, the Rise Above Movement
<[link removed]> (RAM) praised
the use of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin in a message on an affiliated Telegram
channel, stating that it could be used to “undermine the banks and payment
platforms”. Additionally, CEP researchers located a version ofJames Mason
<[link removed]>’s book Siege
<[link removed]> on the
print-on-demand website Lulu. Finally, a white supremacist Telegram channel
posted dozens of links for information on 3D printed firearms and homemade
weapons and gunpowder production.
Pro-ISIS Group Releases Two Propaganda Videos Responding to Netflix’s “Mosul”
On November 28, a pro-ISIS propaganda channel on Telegram released two videos,
titled “The Battle of Mosul” and “Mosul Another Perspective.” Both videos were
responding toNetflix’ <[link removed]>s release of the
movie <[link removed]> “Mosul,”
which is based on the true story of an Iraqi police SWAT team fighting ISIS in
2017. The pro-ISIS propaganda films, approximately 12 minutes and 43 minutes
each, contain extensive footage from previously released ISIS propaganda videos
shot in Mosul, including propaganda clips including the British hostage John
Cantlie. The videos include footage of vehicle suicide bombings and shootings.
In addition to Telegram, the videos were uploaded to Ok.Ru, the Internet
Archive, File.Fm, pCloud, Mail.Ru, and Dropbox. The initial uploads on November
28 were no longer available approximately four days later, however on December
3, additional uploads of the second video were still available on MediaFire,
File.Fm, DropApk.To, and UsersDrive.Com.
Pro-ISIS Cyber Security Group Releases Guide For Using Element
On November 30, CEP researchers located a guide from the pro-ISIS tech group
Electronic Horizons Foundation (EHF), released earlier in November, for using
the open-source messenger Element. The guide advises the use of Element because
of the program’s encryption and decentralization. The EHF guide also stated
that it was inadvisable to rely on a single communications or social media
platform such as Telegram or Twitter, due to the possibility of content removal
or crackdowns. Since losing
<[link removed]>
their previously stable position on Telegram, ISIS online supporters have
tried to find other apps to spread propaganda and encourage terrorist attacks.
EHF has previously released information regardingcryptocurrency
<[link removed]>
,Hoop Messenger
<[link removed]>
, and generalcybersecurity
<[link removed]>
practices.
Bomb Making Instructions Located on the Internet Archive
On December 2, CEP researchers located two bomb-making guides on the Internet
Archive posted by an individual praising ISIS and encouraging terrorist
attacks. Both manuals had originally appeared in al-Qaeda’s Inspire magazine in
2014 and 2015. The files were removed by the Internet Archive after being
reported.
Extreme Right, White Supremacist, and neo-Nazi Groups Using Parler
CEP researchers have located accounts on the social media site Parler
belonging to theNational Socialist Order
<[link removed]>
(NSO),Nordic Resistance Movement
<[link removed]> (NRM),
and theNationalist Social Club
<[link removed]>
(NSC). The NSO account, created on November 25, has posted the group’s videos,
including one encouraging shooting politicians, committing vehicular attacks
against protesters, attacks on electrical infrastructure, and violence against
anti-fascist activists. The NRM account, which has over 575 followers, has
posted links to the group’s podcasts, essays, and propaganda on other websites.
Two accounts belonging to different NSC chapters have posted that group’s
propaganda and have attempted to recruit. One NSC flyer posted on their account
states that the neo-Nazi group can help “white conservative Americans” weed out
anti-fascist activists from their communities as well as provide “protection of
your communities and places of worship,” and “nationalist conservative outlets
for your children.”
Several other accounts located seek to spread neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism, or
accelerationist ideology. Content was located that encouraged anti-Semitic
violence and mass shootings, including one video with footage from the
Christchurch terrorist attack.
Parler, founded in 2018, claims to be a “free speech” social media platform.
The site’sCommunity Guidelines
<[link removed]> forbids content that is
illegal or that is “a tool for crime,” however, it does not explicitly forbid
hate speech or praising criminal acts. The site also hosts several accounts
belonging to members and chapters of the Proud Boys and adherents of the QAnon
conspiracy theory.
Rise Above Movement Praises Use of Cryptocurrency
In a message on an affiliated Telegram channel on November 24, the Rise Above
Movement <[link removed]> (RAM)
praised the use of cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin. The group stated that
Bitcoin could be used to “undermine the banks and payment platforms,”
specifically citing problems with PayPal. A RAM affiliated media group sells
white supremacist merchandise and solicits donations in five different
cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and USD Coin) on
their website.
Notorious Neo-Nazi Book Siege Still Available on Lulu
On December 3, CEP researchers located a version of James Mason
<[link removed]>’s book Siege
<[link removed]> on the
print-on-demand website Lulu. Lulu haspreviously
<[link removed]>
removedseveral
<[link removed]>
copies of Siege after the content was reported, including in April 2019, May
2020, and June 2020. The most recent copy of Siege was disguised as a different
book and added in November 2020. Lulu specifically prohibits material that
encourages harm, threats, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination against
people “based solely on race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation,
gender and gender identity, (or) religious affiliation.” Mason had substantial
ties to the Atomwaffen Division
<[link removed]>, and his work
is posted on a website
<[link removed]>
that features the writing of several of the group’s members. The content was
removed after it was reported by CEP.
James Mason’s book Siege on print-on-demand site Lulu.
White Supremacist Telegram Channel Posts Links for 3D Printing Firearms,
Homemade Firearm Production, Homemade Gunpowder
On November 30, a white supremacist Telegram channel posted dozens of links
for information on 3D printed firearms and homemade weapons and gunpowder
production. The channel publishes information on firearms, firearms
modifications, and gunsmithing and has approximately 2,000 members. The
Telegram channel has previously posted content endorsing white supremacy and
acts of violence.
The channel’s original administrator was identified
<[link removed]>
by anti-fascist researchers in June 2020, after he went to counter-protest an
anti-police brutality demonstration while armed in Dallas, Texas on May 30. He
allegedly gave up his administrator position in August.
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