ISIS Opposition Gains Momentum On Twitter As Pro-ISIS Accounts Decline
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Using algorithms and network analysis tools, a new study found that opponents of ISIS are taking to Twitter to denounce the notorious terrorist group's violent messages.
Researchers at the nonprofit research organization RAND, found that of the 23 million tweets related to ISIS posted by 771,327 users in Arabic from July 2014 to April 2015, opponents of ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, ISIL, or Daesh, were six times greater in number on Twitter than ISIS supporters. But the study also found that ISIS supporters were still more active than ISIS opponents on Twitter, posting about 50 percent more content than opponents.
San Francisco-based Twitter announced last week the suspension of 360,000 users for allegedly threatening or promoting terrorism on their platform since mid-2015. Twitter said daily suspensions of accounts mostly related to ISIS are up over 80 percent since last year, with the number of suspensions spiking following recent terror attacks around the world.
Twitter has also created partnerships with organizations around the world to counter violent extremism online, including with the organizations: Parle-moi d'Islam, Imams Online, Wahid Foundation, The Sawab Center, and True Islam "to empower credible non-governmental voices against violent extremism."
The RAND researchers found, using a variety of algorithms and network analysis tools, that those talking about ISIS on Twitter could be divided into four major groups or "meta-communities." The report found that in addition to ISIS supporters, those talking about ISIS on Twitter were individuals who oppose Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, but who have mixed attitudes toward ISIS. The other two sub-communities talking about ISIS in Arabic on Twitter were members of the Shia Muslim community and members of the Sunni Muslim community.
The researchers said the Shia Twitter users "generally link ISIS to Saudi Arabia but express support toward the international coalition fighting ISIS." The researchers said the Sunni Twitter users were "the most fractured group, with several sub-communities focused on country-specific issues."
Elizabeth Bodine-Baron, a RAND engineer and the lead author of the study said, "The ISIS Twitter universe is highly fragmented and consists of several different communities with different concerns, so messages need to be aimed at specific audiences, rather than trying to craft a one-size-fits-all message."
Authors Bodine-Baron, Todd Helmus, Madeline Magnuson and Zev Winkelman maintain that there is a lot that can still be done to minimize ISIS "propaganda" on the social media platform. They suggest that U.S. officials offer social media training to enhance the effectiveness and reach of anti-ISIS messaging, among other tactics.
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The study showed that by the end of the 10-month period, following Twitter's first batch of suspensions and numerous deadly attacks claimed by ISIS, there was a surge of anti-ISIS tweets. In addition, the number of ISIS supporters active on Twitter had decreased while the number of ISIS opponents had increased.
By Hannah Albarazi - Follow her on Twitter: @hannahalbarazi.
