GNET Research (Global Network on Extremism and Technology) is an academic research initiative that studies how extremist and terrorist groups use modern technology, digital platforms, and online ecosystems to spread propaganda, recruit supporters, and organize activities. The project is supported by the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) and is led by the Centre for Statecraft and National Security at King’s College London.
The organization brings together researchers, policymakers, and technology experts who analyze the relationship between digital technologies and extremist movements. Their work focuses on understanding how online tools—including social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps, gaming communities, cryptocurrency systems, and emerging technologies such as generative AI—can be exploited by extremist groups. By studying these trends, the network aims to help governments, civil society organizations, and technology companies develop more effective strategies for countering violent extremism online.
GNET publishes research papers, policy briefs, and analysis that examine the evolving digital tactics used by extremist networks. Topics often include online radicalization pathways, the role of algorithms in amplifying extremist content, fundraising through digital platforms, and the use of new technologies such as AI or blockchain by extremist movements. Recent research has explored issues such as extremist recruitment on messaging platforms, far-right radicalization on social media, and the use of emerging technologies to spread propaganda or build online communities.
Another key goal of GNET is to bridge the gap between academic research and the technology sector. The project encourages collaboration between researchers and tech companies to develop practical solutions that reduce the spread of extremist content online. This includes sharing research findings, hosting conferences and webinars, and supporting interdisciplinary research that can inform platform policies and counter-extremism strategies.
For journalists, investigators, policymakers, and researchers studying digital radicalization, GNET provides a valuable library of research and analysis on how extremist groups adapt to evolving online environments. The platform’s reports and insights help explain how technology shapes modern extremist movements and how societies can respond to these threats while balancing concerns about civil liberties, free expression, and privacy.