Antisemitic 9/11 Conspiracy Theories Endure and Evolve 25 Years Later
Article
When ADL published its first report on 9/11 conspiracy theories in 2003, it noted that the internet allowed an “unprecedented cross-fertilization of antisemitic ideas” and that they contributed to a “new form of global antisemitism.” The report also noted that these conspiracy theories were likely to endure and “form the basis of a new antisemitic canard that will linger for decades and be used to demonize Jews and Israel.” The report was prescient. The so…
Hateful Election Misinformation Thrives as Platforms Roll Back Policies
Report
Executive summaryFalse and misleading election narratives are surging on social media platforms in the lead up to the US presidential election. Since 2022, at least three major platforms have weakened their rules against disseminating election misinformation. Of these, X/Twitter also appears to have rolled back enforcement against hateful election misinformation. Ahead of this election, a flood of narratives has surged rehashing antisemitic tropes and pushing anti-immigrant…
A Year of Hate: Antisemitism on Telegram Post-10/7
Report
The ADL Center on Extremism (COE) conducted a comprehensive analysis of violent antisemitism and anti-Israel content on Telegram following the 10/7 attacks.
Online Antisemitism: How Tech Platforms Handle User Reporting Post 10/7
Report
Executive Summary Platforms are still failing to take action on antisemitic hate reported through regular channels available to users. Researchers at the ADL Center for Technology and Society (CTS) tested how well five major platforms enforced their policies against hateful content in two areas: antisemitic conspiracy theories and the term “Zionist” used as a slur. Most platforms only took action when ADL escalated the reports through direct channels, and even…
AB587 Revisited: How are Platforms Complying with California's Newly-Mandated Transparency Reporting?
Report
12 min read Executive Summary Most tech companies have rules against hate and harassment. But until a new law in California was enacted in 2022, they had not been accountable to the American public for enforcing them. The law that could change all this, California AB 587, requires social media companies over a certain size to publish their terms of service, including key definitions of terms, and report regularly on how they are adhering to their policies…
Antisemitism on Reddit: Addressing Moderator Concerns
Report
18 min read Executive SummaryA group of moderators, who were struggling to cope with antisemitism in their communities on the social media platform Reddit, reached out to the ADL Center for Technology and Society (CTS) for support. Following engagement with Reddit—based on research into these moderators’ experiences—the platform took several important steps to support these moderators and stem instances of antisemitism on the site. Some of these steps include: …
Tools Against Harassment: Empowering Content Creators
Report
ADL interviews content creators about their experiences with harassment in their comment sections and frustrations with the moderation tools available to them
Online Hate and Harassment: The American Experience 2024
Report
ADL's 2024 survey shows online hate and harassment statistics for adults and teens, with data, analysis, and policy recommendations for tech companies and government.
Hate Thy Neighbor: Online Hate in Local Communities
Report
Read Time: 54 mins Executive SummarySome Facebook groups in local communities have become toxic sites of harassment, particularly identity-based harassment against Jews, women, LGBTQ+ advocates, immigrants, and people of color. ADL has investigated online hate and harassment occurring on Facebook groups or pages in three local regions through interviews with community members, targets, and regional directors, combined with online observation, content review, and quantitative data…
Addressing Extremism in Online Games Through Platform Policies
Report
With recent ADL research showing that 15% of adults and 9% of young people have been exposed to white supremacist ideology while playing online games, ADL has examined three leading game companies’ policies to see how they prohibit content that promotes extremism and terrorism in their online multiplayer games. Despite widespread exposure to such content, game companies have generally been slower than social media companies to address this issue. ADL recommends that…
How Islamist Terror Threats Have Evolved Since 9/11
Article
25 years after 9/11, the threat of Islamist extremism hasn't disappeared — it has evolved. Today's terror groups use social media to reach millions globally, across borders, and sometimes without ever communicating directly with them.
Playing with Hate: How People with Jewish Usernames are Abused in Online Competitive Games
Report
People playing online competitive multiplayer experiences (online games) experience more hate and harassment when playing with a jewish username, shows a study for ADL
Virtual Money, Hateful Reality: The Cryptocurrency Exchanges Enabling Extremist Fundraising in 2023
Report
In 2023, ADL Center on Extremism tracked 15 extremists and their supporters who moved $142k of cryptocurrency to and/or from 22 different crypto companies.