Online radicalisation continues to pose significant challenge to global security: India at 19th Interpol Conference of Heads of National Central Bureaux

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Radicalisation is a process in which an individual/group embraces a radical ideology that accepts, uses or condones violence, including acts of terrorism, to reach specific political or ideological purpose.
- Internet platforms, including social media, have been exploited by terrorists as effective tool for radicalisation, indoctrination, recruitment and terror financing.

Role of Internet in challenging National Security
- Use of social media as echo chamber to spread propaganda, disinformation, conspiracy theories, hate speech, and incite violence.
  - Kozhikode arson case highlights online radicalization triggering violence.
- Enables terror fundraising campaigns, enhancing their reach and utilizing virtual or crypto assets making them difficult to track.
- Micro-targeting using data collection for psychological profiling and strategically tailoring radical content.
- Increase cybercrimes and organized crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering etc.

Challenges in addressing security concerns arising from internet: Associated anonymity, use of deepfakes, different cross-border jurisdictions, difficulties in enforcing laws due to privacy concerns etc.

Way Forward:
- Targeted counter-narrative campaigns that debunk misinformation, disrupting echo chambers.
- Implementing content moderation and fact-checking.
- Promoting international cooperation among law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and policymakers
- Strengthen Cybersecurity and regulating virtual and crypto assets.

Genesis: An inter-governmental organization established in 1923.
HQ: Lyon, France
Purpose: To facilitate information-exchange between national police forces.
Members: 196 member countries (including India)
Organizational structure: General assembly, General secretariat, Executive committee and National central bureaus (NCB).
- NCB is a country’s focal point for all Interpol activities and Central Bureau of India (CBI) is India’s designated NCB.