More Than 26,000 Twitter Accounts Linked to ISIS
- By Matt Holden
- Apr 01, 2015
A cybersecurity activist has released a roster of 26,382 Twitter accounts supposedly linked to the Islamic State, according to reports. This list is not perfect however, as many of the accounts on the list are prominent individuals such as Zaid Benjamin, a Washington-based journalist with 82,300 followers.
The activist, known by his Twitter name as XRsone, said the accounts in question have been removed and he believes the list still “has a high accuracy.” His intent was to show that more could be to expunge ISIS supporters from Twitter.
The release of the list was an effort by internet opponents of the Islamic State such as Anonymous to expose ISIS’s exploitation of the social media site for spreading its propaganda.
ISIS has used Twitter to glorify beheadings, immolations and enslavement of enemies, pillaging of artifacts, and threats to foes of the group.
“Look through these accounts, you will see complete disregard for human life,” said the activist.
Twitter does not do its own preventative policing or scrubbing of accounts, per a much debated free-speech policy.
About the Author
Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.