Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) has claimed that social media facilitates the traffic of 90 percent of extremist content, according to Al-Hayat newspaper.

The center was established in May 2017 by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in partnership with several world leaders including US President Donald Trump. The center reported that extremist individuals dispersed in various geographical locations use social media to promote unrealistic propaganda material.

Social media outlets are easily accessible to anyone and extremists often use nicknames in their accounts and handles. They hide their identity to be able to spew venom without facing the consequences. Social media is an unregulated space that enabled extremists and terrorists to not only spread their hateful messages but to also organize terrorist cells and groups.

These organizations do not conform to any code of ethics as they would post doctored and fake videos and pictures to distort facts. Hundreds of extremist accounts are being opened every day. The center understands that it has a challenging role to combat an ideology with no traceable source and no control.

The center is equipped with the latest technologies and software that will recognize an extremist post in any within six seconds. The software can present a detailed report of the content of the post and its source. The center has also conducted an awareness campaign to combat extremists who recruit many new members on a daily basis.