The spread of terrorist and violent extremist content online fuels harmful narratives, exacerbates real-world tensions, and undermines community safety — especially for marginalized groups. This is used to radicalize, manipulate, and exploit users for ideological or financial gain. While the counter-terrorism community continues to struggle with this challenge globally, many regions, such as Southeast Asia, face unique circumstances that shape their ability to respond effectively. 

The Response: Thinking in Alternatives

UNICRI, in collaboration with Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, convened experts and representatives from multiple sectors in Singapore on 2-3 December 2025 to explore innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring and responding to terrorist use of online ecosystems.

The initiative focuses on alternative OSINT methodologies and community-driven approaches to content moderation, emphasizing the importance of cultural and linguistic understanding while safeguarding human rights.

Approaches Explored

OSINT methodologies: Participants shared practices, gaps and challenges related to current open-source intelligence models, discussing alternative methodologies better suited to fast-evolving threat environments, as well as AI-enabled approaches. 

Sessions showcased practical examples of online threat analysis and tools to strengthen participants’ digital investigation skills.

Community-driven moderation approaches: Participants examined how local communities can help identify harmful content in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, complementing — rather than replacing — existing public–private partnerships.

A Community of Stakeholders Working Together

The initiative engaged key actors working across counter-terrorism and digital security:

• Law enforcement agencies and policy makers from ASEAN countries, including: Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
• Technology companies active in social media, messaging, gaming, cybersecurity and threat intelligence.
• Civil society organizations working on online harms, terrorism, hate speech and human rights protection.
• International and regional partners, including: UNOCT, the Christchurch Call Foundation, and Tech Against Terrorism.

Why it Matters

Given the complexity of online threats, responses must be integrated and collaborative. The project contributed to:

• Strengthening dialogue and cooperation.
• Among governments, the tech sector and civil society, fostering shared learning.
• Enhancing culturally informed and human-centered approaches.
• Acknowledging that effective content moderation must be rooted in local realities.
• Laying the groundwork for future action.

Looking Ahead

Through this regional workshop, UNICRI is helping explore a new way of addressing online threats — more collaborative, more human-centered, and more sustainable.

Insights from the workshop will inform a guidance document outlining innovative methodologies and capacity-building needs, which will be released in early 2026.

The approach aims to be replicated and adapted across regions, working towards safer digital ecosystems supported by all stakeholders.