Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) has blocked terrorist organizations from using more than 1.2 million links to evade digital monitoring and directed users to rely on alternative content.

Etidal explained that terrorist organizations are using deceptive methods to circumvent monitoring, including the use of links to redirect users. These methods are being countered, including the removal of more than 1.2 million links during the first quarter of this year alone. This was made possible through partnership with the Telegram platform.

The content of the alternative links varies from digital files containing extremist propaganda content, websites hosting prohibited or difficult-to-track content, to groups and channels on social media platforms with weak oversight.

It is noteworthy that the Etidal recently announced its joint efforts with Telegram to combat extremist propaganda during the first quarter of 2025, removing 16,062,667 extremist content and shutting down 1,408 extremist channels. The collaboration, launched between Etidal and Telegram in February 2022, has resulted in the removal of 176,758,457 extremist materials and shutting down of 16,201 channels by the end of March 2025.

This ongoing cooperation reflects a firm commitment to the continuation of combating extremist rhetoric and striving toward a safer digital environment.

The Riyadh-based Etidal was founded in 2017 as a non-profit organization with the purpose of combating extremism.