UK develops new technology to combat terrorist content online

The UK Home Office and ASI Data Science have developed a new tool that can automatically identify terrorist content on online platforms.

Tests of the tool have indicated that it is capable of automatically detecting 94% of Daesh propaganda at 99.995% accuracy rate.

This technology can be used by any online platform, and also integrated into the upload process. Most of the Daesh’s video propaganda can actually be stopped even before it hits online.

This tool makes use of advanced machine learning to review if the audio and visuals of a video are Daesh propaganda.

The Home Office and ASI plan to share the technology with smaller companies, which would help them combat terrorist propaganda.

As most of the major technology firms have developed customised versions for their own platforms, smaller platforms are increasingly becoming vulnerable to Daesh.

Given that the tool is suitable to all platforms, it can be used to detect terrorist propaganda in real-time.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Over the last year we have been engaging with internet companies to make sure that their platforms are not being abused by terrorists and their supporters. I have been impressed with their work so far following the launch of the Global Internet Forum to Counter-Terrorism, although there is still more to do, and I hope this new technology the Home Office has helped develop can support others to go further and faster.”