Hidden in plain sight: Jews Rip
Terrorism has always found new opportunities in times of crisis to promote its aims. While in recent months, the pandemic has halted most of the world's activities, it has not stopped extremism and terrorism. Indeed during this period, extremist groups have intensified their activities in Internet, seeing the global emergency as a new opportunity not to be missed and an occasion to promote prejudices and fears towards minorities especially against the Jewish community.
To avoid being monitored and to use the ‘unsafe’ Telegram , groups are using technology to hide in plain sight. The most used tool is ELEMENT. ELEMENT is a new type of messaging app. Users choose where their messages are stored, putting them in control of their data. ELEMENT gives access to the Matrix open network, so users can talk to anyone. ELEMENT also provides a new level of security, adding cross-signed device verification to default end-to-end encryption.
A good example of extremists use of ELEMENT is “Jews Rip “ ; the url and the message on the front page are conceived not to give away too much about the nature of the chat which can be accessed by invitation only and it is heavily advertised within the extremist channels of communication.
It starts with the “Never Forget” title and it states:
“The tragedies committed against 6,000,000 Jewish men, women, and children are by far the most horrific and disgusting acts of barbarism in world history. For the intelligent and well-educated among the population merely the topic brings great anguish and immeasurable grief. A grief that cannot be forgotten lest we live to witness another resurgence of nationalistic behavior from the white population.”
Albeit law enforcement agencies are increasing the identification, monitoring and removal of online channels and publications by terrorists and extremists; much more need to be done and coordination among governments and counter-terrorism agencies, at both national and international level , must be intensified. Terrorism and coronavirus are united by the speed with which they spread and do not know borders.