MOSCOW, January 28 (Sputnik) – The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, relies on as many as 45,000 Twitter accounts to wage its propagandistic and recruitment campaign in social media, according to researcher J.M. Berger.
At least 45K pro-ISIS Twitter accounts in fall 2014; my written testimony for today's hearing http://t.co/9FHWC0zmlS cc @jonathonmorgan
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) 27 января 2015
J.M. Berger described the social media campaign by the Islamic State as "highly organized," adding that the radical Sunni group "uses deceptive tactics and shows a sophisticated understanding of how such networks operate." However, the Islamic State’s network on Twitter has suffered a heavy blow since then.
As many as 18,000 Twitter accounts affiliated with the militants were suspended in recent months. "ISIS supporters on Twitter are under significant pressure, with the most active and viral users taking the brunt of the suspensions," Berger told House Committee on Foreign Affairs, probing terrorist propaganda after a deadly attacks in Paris.
Video of my testimony today on terrorism and social media http://t.co/8k88osF9ah with @IntelTweet @rmack and Amb Mark Wallace
— J.M. Berger (@intelwire) 28 января 2015
The researcher warned that the Twitter campaign against the Islamic State should continue. Otherwise, the network will reemerge. He also said that although Twitter should suspend accounts of the most active users affiliated with the jihadist group, some low profile accounts could be kept active to be used as an open source for gathering intelligence.
