Dear colleagues, honoured guests,
I am honoured to contribute to this highly important topic.
The root causes of radicalisation and terrorism are hard to categorize. They are exceedingly difficult, if not impossible to pinpoint. The dark road to violence is paved with myriad interactions and circumstances that do not follow any linear “if A then B” reasoning.
This is precisely the reason that makes countering terrorism so difficult. Improving people’s lives comprehensively is the first and most pivotal step in countering extremism. Preventing terrorism must include a holistic range of horizontal initiatives. One of these initiatives must be ensuring that people have access to accurate, fact-based information to help them navigate our information-laden world.
The internet has become one of the main forms of communication and information exchange, particularly for youth. As such, it is often a starting point for radicalisation. Therefore, preventing the path to radicalisation online, is an essential – if not the most essential – goal for counterterrorism and anti-extremism efforts.
It is, however, crucial to understand that the path to radicalization online is seldom a result of conscious decision-making. The ways in which we experience the Internet today is highly dependent on external decision-making. Algorithms – a concept still widely foreign and difficult to comprehend for many – is what drives many of our choices, often entirely without our awareness. Algorithms are designed to disseminate the most provocative content.
Unfortunately, this often captures content that reflects the darkest facets of human nature. Indeed, the nature of algorithms and their nexus with monetized advertising practices, often exacerbates the issue, directing people further down the path of extremism. It is crucial to disrupt these artificial, dangerous mechanisms of information consumption that spawn echo chambers of indoctrination.
To do so, it is crucial to work with the largest technology companies. Not only are these companies the main platforms actors use to disseminate terrorist content, but they also are behind the creation of these very algorithms. Luckily however, these companies have the resources to develop and deploy sophisticated technologies that would rapidly advance efforts to curb radicalizing content online.
However, these algorithms involve commercially sensitive information that companies are often hard-pressed to share. Hence, they are less incentivised to actively engage in working collaboratively with stakeholders. Therefore, it is important for regulators and civil society organizations to find productive ways to work alongside companies.
We must all agree that economic interests can never trump human life. At the same time, we must all agree that private companies are mostly flourishing in the democratic countries. So it clearly makes sense to cooperate with the democratic governments to help to keep the healthy balance of accepting the rules while having a liberal market economy and respect of human rights.
With this in mind, we must also make sure not to impede people’s fundamental freedoms. Estonia staunchly supports the recognition of internet access as a fundamental right. Counter-terrorist legislation cannot become a weapon that autocratic regimes use to suppress free speech and censor dissidents. It is our obligation to ensure safety and peace, while safeguarding our freedoms.
Now let us continue our work.
Thank you!
