X removes ISIS videos of Moscow concert hall massacre upon IMDA notification

SINGAPORE: Social media platform X responded promptly to a notification from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and removed videos depicting ISIS-Khorasan’s 22 March massacre at a concert hall near Moscow.

The videos, sourced from the Amaq News Agency – ISIS’ official news channel – were shared on the platform by several accounts, both in censored and uncensored versions.

The 1-minute and 31-second video showed blurred faces and distorted voices of the attackers, with one version featuring a victim’s blurred face while being attacked.

More than 140 people lost their lives in the assault on the Crocus City Hall concert venue, claimed by ISIS and executed by four fighters.

IMDA classified the video as “harmful content” under Singapore’s online safety code, prompting X to remove it promptly upon notification.

“X removed the content promptly upon notification,” said the authority.

X’s algorithm had recommended the videos to some users on its “For you” timeline, with links to Telegram channels sharing content from the Amaq News Agency.

According to X’s website, the algorithm sources 50 per cent of its recommended posts from users that an individual follows.

The other 50 per cent comes from external users and is based on the popularity of the post, among several other factors.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) responded to media inquiries, highlighting the challenges posed by the internet and social media in combating terrorism.

The widespread accessibility of these platforms has facilitated the dissemination of violent ideologies, recruitment efforts, and the planning of attacks by terrorists.

“Since 2015, 38 self-radicalized Singaporeans have been detained or subjected to Restriction Orders under the Internal Security Act,” the MHA revealed.

“Almost all of these individuals were radicalized through exposure to violent extremist and terrorist content consumed on the internet and social media.”

The MHA stated that despite collaborative efforts between these companies and governments to eliminate such content, it continues to persist.

It emphasized that individuals actively seeking out this content would still be able to find it.

Nevertheless, the MHA reiterated that Singaporean authorities will promptly act against individuals promoting extremist or terrorist content online.

It urged the reporting of such individuals or content to the authorities via the SGSecure app, the Internal Security Department at 1800-2626-473, or the police.