COPENHAGEN

Extremist groups are increasingly using artificial intelligence and mainstream online platforms to spread propaganda and recruit members, according to a report by Denmark’s Center for Terror Analysis (PET) released Monday.

In a press release, the intelligence service warned that technological advancements have made extremist content easier to produce and distribute, increasing the risk of radicalization.

Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Roblox are being used to subtly introduce extremist narratives, often disguised as memes, coded language, or emojis.

AI-generated content and platform algorithms further expose users to extremist material, the report said.

Michael Hamann, head of the Center for Communication and Strategy at PET, warned that extremist material is no longer confined to hidden corners of the internet but is widely accessible, with young users particularly vulnerable.

He said radicalization often progresses through online echo chambers, where users are gradually drawn into more encrypted and unmoderated spaces.

There, extremist groups engage in direct communication, share unfiltered content such as bomb-making manuals, and push ethical and social boundaries.

"Members of online communities risk starting to perceive extremist content, statements and behavior as normal over time. Extremist and non-extremist content is mixed in several forums, and the boundaries of what is perceived as acceptable behavior … can become fluid for the individual," he added.

Lack of moderation in Danish

A study by the IT University of Copenhagen released last July found that major social media platforms are failing to remove illegal hate speech in Denmark due to inadequate content moderation.

Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn reportedly have no Danish-speaking moderators, while Facebook and Instagram only employed six in total.

This lack of linguistic expertise significantly hampers efforts to identify and remove extremist content.

The findings raised serious concerns about tech companies’ role in combating online extremism and underscored the need for stronger regulation and accountability measures to curb the spread of hate speech and extremist narratives.