London Police Partner With Facebook to Prevent Live Streaming of Terrorist and Firearm Attacks

London Police Partner With Facebook to Prevent Live Streaming of Terrorist and Firearm Attacks

The issue gained renewed attention after a mass shooter used Facebook to live stream his murder of over 50 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Sep 20, 2019

London police have partnered up with Facebook in a new project to help prevent live streaming of terrorist and firearms attacks across the globe.

Starting in October, the London Metropolitan Police Service will provide the social media giant with footage of training exercises by its Firearms Command from the perspective of the officers. The video will help Facebook develop tech that can identify if someone is live streaming footage of a firearms attack, according to a press release from the department, which is commonly referred to as the Met.

The Met’s Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) has had a long relationship with Facebook thanks to its mission of working with companies to remove harmful terrorist material from the web. That partnership led Facebook to reach out to the Met when seeking assistance to carry out the project.

“Technology that automatically stops live streaming of attacks once identified would also significantly help prevent the glorification of such acts and the promotion of the toxic ideologies that drive them,” said Neil Basu, the U.K.’s top-ranking counter terrorism police oficer. “We welcome such efforts to prevent terrorism and its glorification and are happy to help develop this technology.”

If Facebook is successful in developing software to detect attacks, the platform could notify police of an attack early on and prevent live streaming from continuing on its site. The issue became more urgent last March after a mass shooter used Facebook to live stream his massacre of 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Met plans to capture footage for the project on body cameras attached to officers as they carry out regular training so that Facebook has the volume of footage it needs to develop the AI tech. Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are also providing video to Facebook, the release said.

In addition, the training videos will be shared with the U.K.’s Home Office, which oversees immigration, security and law enforcement. From there, other tech companies will be able to request the footage so they can develop similar software to detect videos taken from the “shooter perspective,” according to the release.

“This partnership with the Met Police will help train our AI systems with the volume of data needed to identify these incidents,” said Stephanie McCourt, Facebook’s law enforcement outreach lead in the U.K. “We will remain committed to improving our detection abilities and keeping harmful content off Facebook.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.