Extremist Content Online: White Supremacist Propaganda Video Amasses Nearly Quarter Million Views On Twitter

(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 located multiple Twitter accounts spreading white supremacism, antisemitism, and anti-LGBTQ+ content, including one account with over 20,000 followers that shared a video from a neo-Nazi group that has amassed more than 245,000 views. Additionally, a Telegram channel affiliated with the neo-Nazi group, The Base, encouraged supporters to make “real sacrifices,” calling terrorists and mass shooters heroes.

In addition, a group called Al Jauhar Media Center released a new English-language pro-ISIS web magazine for India on Telegram and RocketChat and the pro-ISIS Qimam Electronic Foundation warned their followers of new malware being used against Android devices.

CEP researchers also discovered a Telegram channel for a Pacific Northwest active club glorifying the Charleston church shooter, a white supremacist Telegram user praising the attacks on U.S. electrical substations, and a neo-Nazi Telegram chat where users traded tips on anonymously procuring the privacy cryptocurrency Monero.

Multiple Accounts Located on Twitter Spreading Propaganda from White Supremacist Groups and Antisemitism

In a sample of content located on January 26, CEP researchers found 10 Twitter accounts that made posts promoting white supremacism, antisemitism, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. One account with over 20,000 followers posted a propaganda video from the neo-Nazi group Nationalist Social Club (NSC) that shows group members protesting and seeking to intimidate attendees at a drag event in Taunton, Massachusetts. The user made it clear that they agreed with the video and wanted to share it with their large follower count. The tweet containing the video had over 245,000 views on Twitter and the video contained contact info for NSC recruitment and other propaganda.

Other accounts were also located that promoted NSC, Patriot Front, a propaganda outlet affiliated with the active club movement, an active club chapter in the Pacific Northwest, the white supremacist National Justice Party, and the White Lives Matter Movement. Other accounts were found that promoted neo-Nazism, antisemitism, and Holocaust denial.

CEP reported the 10 accounts to Twitter on January 26 for violating the social media site’s policies against hateful conduct. All 10 accounts were still online on January 30. Twitter locked two accounts by January 30, one which had posted an antisemitic meme, and another account for a white supremacist active club, however the content from each was still online.

NSC propaganda video on Twitter. Screenshot taken on January 26, 2023.

Telegram Channel Affiliated With The Base Endorses Mass Shooters and Terrorism

On January 20, a Telegram channel affiliated with The Base encouraged making “real sacrifices,” stating that violence was necessary and it was now “the age of the martyr.” The post pointed to Timothy McVeigh, the 2011 Norway terrorist, and the perpetrator of the Christchurch terrorist attack, as “heroes.” In another post on January 26, the same channel stated that acts of intimidation were the only justifiable form of “activism.”

New Pro-ISIS Web Magazine Released

On January 23, a group called Al Jauhar Media Center released a new English-language pro-ISIS web magazine for India. The inaugural issue only contained two articles. The main piece blamed the Indian government and Hindu ultra-nationalist organizations for committing acts of violence against Muslims and preventing Muslims from freely practicing their religion. The article also blamed Muslim politicians in India for enabling abuses and allegedly only serving their own interests.

The second article stated that unjust laws and Hindi ultra-nationalist groups are targeting Muslim men, accusing them of marrying Hindu women and forcing them to convert. The article pointed out that this violence and lack of protection showed the hypocrisy of democracy and a “secular constitution.”

The web magazine was released on Telegram and RocketChat. A previous English-language pro-ISIS web magazine oriented towards India, Voice of Hind, released its last issue in May 2022. Indian authorities made several arrests related to Voice of Hind in 2022.

Pro-ISIS Tech Group Warns of Android Malware

On January 25, the pro-ISIS Qimam Electronic Foundation warned their followers of new malware being used against Android devices. The post was made on the bulletin board website PasteThis.To and spread via RocketChat. The group stated that the newly located malware allows other users to take control of the targeted mobile device and can be used to steal banking details or find the device’s geographic location.

Qimam Electronic Foundation logo.

Telegram Channel for Active Club in Pacific Northwest Shares Image Endorsing Charleston Church Shooter

On January 22, a Telegram channel for a Pacific Northwest active club that calls itself an “MMA (mixed martial arts) activist club” shared an image glorifying the Charleston church shooter who killed nine African Americans in 2015. The channel had almost 400 members. Active clubs usually avoid direct public endorsements of violence, such as mass shootings. On January 25, the movement’s founder, Rob Rundo, posted that groups should avoid being “edgy” and focus on positive aesthetics.

Extreme Right Telegram Users Continue to Celebrate Substation Attacks

Extreme right Telegram users, including white supremacists, continued praising attacks on electrical substations in the U.S. In one post, a channel urged their audience to toast themselves for the continued attacks and the lack of perpetrators arrested. Channels continued to post memes regarding attacking the electrical grid, including which components to shoot.

Neo-Nazi Telegram Technology Chat Posts Information on Monero Cryptocurrency

Users of a neo-Nazi Telegram chat dedicated to operation and information security traded tips on anonymously procuring the privacy cryptocurrency Monero on January 23. Users suggested websites and another Telegram chat for obtaining additional information and exchanged sites for purchasing the cryptocurrency. Users stated that they wanted to minimize their paper trail. Monero is a decentralized cryptocurrency that does not allow the observation of wallets or transactions.

A group dedicated to Monero shared on Telegram.

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