Tech

Google To Go After American Far-Right

Google Search Box: Gil C/shutterstock.com, Donald Trump: Joseph Sohm/shutterstock.com

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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Google’s Jigsaw will target the American far-right in the same manner it has been targeting Islamic extremists.

“We’re partnering with the Gen Next foundation in order to have a North American focused second phase of this project. Which focuses not just on jihadism but also on far-right extremism,” Ross Frennett, co-founder of Moonshot CVE, said at a Brookings Institute event Wednesday.

Moonshot is a start-up that uses technology to counter violent-extremism. Frennett said Moonshot will as well work with Jigsaw on “phase two” during the event.

Google Jigsaw describes itself as a “technology incubator that aims to tackle the toughest geopolitical issues.”

Jigsaw and Moonshot have attempted to counter Islamic extremism by showing them targeted advertising to dissuade them from their beliefs. The Obama administration has actively sought help from the private sector in attacking extremism online.

“We are very conscious as our own organization and I know Jigsaw are that [violent extremism] is not solely the problem of one particular group,” Frenett added. “Our efforts during phase two, when we’re going to focus on the violent far right in America, will be very much focused on the small element of those that are violent. The interesting thing about how they behave is they’re a little bit more brazen online these days than ISIS fan boys.”

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Alex Pfeiffer