CounteR

With the accelerated adoption of technological advancements in recent years, the threat of radicalization and terrorism has evolved, increasingly using online environments to spread extremist ideologies. Addressing this challenge requires innovative solutions that detect and prevent radical content, respect privacy, and adhere to ethical standards. The CounteR project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and coordinated by ASSIST Software, represents a significant step forward in this effort. 

By leveraging the consortium's diverse expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration, the CounteR project has created groundbreaking software for detecting, tracking, and preventing online radical content. The consortium included academia, data science specialists, software developers, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), internet service providers (ISPs), and ethical and legal consultants, ensuring the development of a comprehensive and valuable tool. Prioritizing adherence to the highest ethical standards and compliance with GDPR, CounteR meets the specific requirements of end-users, primarily LEAs. 

The project's foundation lies in deeply understanding the psychological and social factors influencing radicalization processes and ecosystems susceptible to violent extremism and radical views. 

The project stands out for integrating Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies, Machine Learning (ML), and data mining techniques with deep psychological insights into tracking and preventing radicalization. Additionally, Social Network Analysis (SNA) enhances understanding of the complex structure, dynamics, and connections within social networks. Using SNA methodologies, the CounteR solution facilitates the detection of radicalization hotspots, key nodes, and communities within these networks. This combination enables LEAs to effectively identify and counteract radical propaganda, recruitment, and misinformation. 

Key Achievements of the Radicalization Detection and Prevention Solution (CounteR): 

Software Platform designed to detect, track, and prevent radicalization in online sources. Sign up for BETA testing! 

Community-centric approach: Targets radicalization hotspots within communities, preserving individual privacy. 

Multi-source data integration: Analyzes data from multiple dynamic sources like social media and the deep and dark web. 

Real-time coordination: LEAs can take immediate, coordinated action based on insights from CounteR, effectively targeting hotspots of radicalization. 

Open-source datasets: Enhancing research and practical applications. 

Project Sustainability: 

Validation of Technological Efficacy: LEAs within the consortium have validated the CounteR tool and are already employing it in their daily activities. It assists them in detecting and addressing radicalization hotspots and implementing targeted interventions. 

Impact on Policy and Practice: The project's outcomes are expected to influence EU policy, providing guidelines on data privacy, pseudonymization, and minimization. 

Future Applications: Beyond LEAs, the NLP capabilities developed through CounteR have potential applications for Internet Service Providers and Content Management Systems, aiding in content moderation to prevent the spread of radicalized comments. 

 
ASSIST Software is the project coordinator and technical partner. Leveraging its extensive experience and expertise in information technology and data analytics, the firm is responsible for combining disparate information from various sources into a cohesive platform for data mining and predictive analysis. 

The Privacy-First Situational Awareness Platform for Violent Terrorism and Crime Prediction, Counter Radicalization and Citizen Protection Project, or CounteR, is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program and submitted under the H2020-SU-SEC-2020 call for proposals, project ID 101021607.