The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working with gaming community platforms to track “extremist content.” ”
Thanks to a new government report from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), it’s now clear that the FBI and DHS are working with gaming companies like Roblox, Discord, and Reddit. These platforms share the ability for members to interact with each other and freely create group chats and discussion threads.
“The FBI and DHS have several tools to share information with and receive information from social media and gaming companies regarding threats related to domestic terrorism,” the report said. ing. “However, neither agency has developed strategies or goals for such information-sharing efforts.”
In January 2024, GAO recommended that both organizations develop stronger strategies in this area as part of a broader effort to counter “violent extremism.” Gaming companies often have mechanisms in place to track and prevent extremism within their communities, but the GAO report recommends that this should also involve national security agencies.
GAO’s report emphasizes that both agencies need to do more, despite previous recommendations.
“The FBI and DHS are taking steps to engage with social media and gaming companies to share information about threats related to domestic violent extremism,” the conclusions read. “However, the FBI and DHS have not developed goals and strategies for these information-sharing efforts.
“By establishing program goals and strategies, the FBI and DHS can help ensure that the mechanisms are aligned with and work well with the agency’s overall mission.”
What counts as extreme content?
The report highlights the influence of “violent extremism” in the gaming community, writing: to violence, among other purposes. ”
The FBI and DHS both have teams dedicated to tracking the activities of “lone offenders and small groups of individuals,” and the report notes that these criminals are “radicalized online.” “They are often motivated by a combination of ideological, sociopolitical, and personal grievances.” The GAO report calls this situation “one of the most significant terrorist threats.”
In short, the National Security Agency appears to be looking for people with extremist views, both online and in real life, on any subject that could lead to violence.
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