Increased concern over the increasing peril posed by far-right discussion fora
Telegram, the messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption, is under scrutiny for its role as a platform for far-right groups and extremists. Despite its efforts to defend itself, the platform has been criticised for its lax moderation policies and struggle to control the spread of hate speech, disinformation, and calls to violence.
A Closer Look at Recent Incidents
In Spain, Telegram faced criticism for facilitating anti-immigrant violence. Groups like Deport Them Now were accused of using the platform to organise unrest, highlighting the app's inefficiency in moderating content[1]. In Brazil, Telegram was temporarily suspended due to its failure to comply with a Federal Police investigation into neo-Nazi activities[2].
Globally, far-right networks on Telegram have been promoting violent rhetoric, including calls to violence and spreading personal details of protest organisers. This has raised concerns about the potential for real-world violence[3].
The Limits of Current Measures
The effectiveness of current measures to combat far-right chat groups on Telegram is limited. The platform's lack of robust moderation is a significant issue, with Telegram's decision not to use sorting algorithms in its search function making it difficult to discover and track extremist groups[2].
Governments and regulatory bodies have put pressure on Telegram to improve moderation, but the app has pushed back, arguing that compliance would threaten freedom of speech[2]. Telegram also claims technological limitations prevent it from providing certain data, leading to legal conflicts in countries like Brazil[2].
Urgent Action Needed
To effectively combat far-right chat groups on Telegram, several urgent measures should be considered:
- Improved Moderation Policies: Implement more stringent moderation policies to detect and remove hate speech and violent rhetoric proactively.
- Collaboration with Authorities: Telegram should work more closely with law enforcement agencies to provide necessary data and support investigations into extremist activities.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate users about the risks of extremist content and how to report it, promoting a safer online environment.
- Regulatory Oversight: Governments should establish clear guidelines and penalties for platforms that fail to comply with anti-extremism regulations.
Until these measures are implemented, Telegram will continue to face criticism for its role in facilitating far-right extremism. A study by the Center for Monitoring, Analysis, and Strategy (Cemas) has highlighted the alarming extent and potential danger of such networks, calling for urgent action by politics and security authorities[4].
In the wake of this, Telegram has taken steps to combat extremism. In 2021 alone, the app deleted around 74,000 groups and channels related to terror and incitement to violence[4]. However, criticism remains that the blocking of terror-glorifying channels happens too rarely on Telegram[4].
The study also revealed that many members of these chat groups are young, with some as young as 12 or 13 years old. This underscores the importance of implementing stricter measures to protect vulnerable users[4].
References:
[1] El País
[2] The Verge
[3] The Guardian
[4] Der Spiegel
- The Spanish edition of El País highlighted the inefficiency of Telegram's content moderation measures, as the app allegedly facilitated anti-immigrant violence and allowed extremist groups like Deport Them Now to organize unrest.
- In light of concerns about the potential for real-world violence, Der Spiegel's study emphasized the urgent need for immediate action from politics and security authorities to combat the growing threat of far-right networks on Telegram.
