Europol Coordinates Operation Against Online Terrorist Content

On May 27, Europol led a Referral Action Day targeting terrorist content online aimed at minors, resulting in over 2,000 links being referred. The action day focused on combating the exploitation and radicalization of young individuals by jihadist and right-wing extremist propaganda. Europol’s new Operational Taskforce was launched to address the increasing trend of recruiting young perpetrators into serious and organized crime, with recent data showing that minors are involved in over 70% of criminal markets. Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, emphasized the importance of protecting children from criminal networks and preventing radicalization.

Terrorist groups are exploiting young people’s vulnerabilities and online capabilities to further their violent agendas. Collaboration between public authorities and private sector partners is crucial to prevent the radicalization of minors. Propaganda tactics have evolved to include a range of manipulative techniques, such as using AI to create content tailored to resonate with younger audiences. The propaganda identified during the operation included materials glorifying minors involved in terrorist acts and targeting both male and female youth with different narratives.

In 2024, EU Member States’ law enforcement authorities handled numerous terrorism cases involving minors. Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre continues to support Member States in preventing and investigating the dissemination of terrorist content online. Countries including Albania, Austria, Belgium, and the United Kingdom participated in the Referral Action Day. Europol remains committed to ensuring a safer online environment for European citizens by combating terrorist propaganda and protecting vulnerable individuals from radicalization.