Creating a safer internet for victims of terrorism.

 

Problem Statement

 Digital platforms can contribute to further trauma to victims and survivors of terrorism through the misuse or manipulation of images of victims, algorithmic amplification and feedback loops and the persistent circulation of graphic imagery. From deepfakes used to discredit victims to the unauthorized memorialization of private profiles, the digital environment can exacerbate psychological distress long after the physical event. Creating a safer internet for victims of terrorism requires efforts beyond the moderation or removal of “illegal”, “terrorist” or “violent extremist” content. It calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing online harms that is firmly grounded in international human rights norms and standards, protects the rights and dignity of victims of terrorism and at the same time safeguards freedom of expression. 

Beyond Content Removal 

As discussed in the Gap Analysis of Digital Tools to Support Victims of Terrorism, technical and institutional frameworks are evolving beyond narrow content takedown approaches to address the complex ecosystem of modern disinformation and harmful online content. Crisis protocols have matured through initiatives such as the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism(GIFCT), which utilizes a hash-sharing database to identify and remove terrorist and violent extremist content across thirty-three platforms. To counter "synthetic" harms, tools like SynthID and C2PA provide digital authenticity markers crucial for debunking deepfakes, as seen after the 2025 Bondi Beach attack. Finally, violence prevention services from organizations like Moonshot and Parents for Peace are now being signposted directly to users consuming violent content, with a view to providing targeted, preventative and support-oriented interventions. 

Core Questions for the Working Group 

With a view to establishing a roadmap for a safer internet for victims of terrorism, this working group will address questions such as: • How can platforms implement priority reporting channels for verified victims of terrorism to ensure that their reports are escalated beyond automated systems and are reviewed promptly by human moderators trained in trauma-informed care? • What technical standards are required to neutralize the viral "trending" of graphic footage and increase hash-detection sensitivity during high-risk windows like attack anniversaries? • How do we develop trauma-informed approaches for content that is legal but may nonetheless cause harm, that recognize re-traumatization and secondary trauma, and work towards mitigating harms in a manner consistent with international human rights norms and standards? • What are the design requirements for robust keyword disruption and "conscious viewing" friction, such as pop-up warnings, that allow victims and survivors to curate their own digital safety? • How can we establish "Golden Hour" crisis response to coordinate verified facts and "safe to share” material to reduce the impact of harmful or misleading narratives immediately following an event