In its aim of being a force for good in the world, the search giant Google is working on a way to fight terrorism.
Google Search Against Terrorism
According to Android Headlines, Google is using Jigsaw, the internal experiments lab acquired, in order to find a way to dissuade wannabe terrorists to join ISIS. Google's half-trillion-dollar internet search business could be transformed in a powerful tool for getting inside the minds of potential ISIS recruits.
According to Wired, aside of just understanding the would-be jihadis' intentions, Jigsaw subsidiary of Google is also trying to change them. Over the past year, the Google-owned think tank and tech incubator has been working on a YouTube's video platform and a new program to dissuade aspiring ISIS recruits from joining the terrorist group.
The program is called the Redirect Method. As part of the program, certain ads are placed alongside any keywords and phrases searched by people attracted to ISIS.
The ads link to English- and Arabic-language YouTube channels that pull together some preexisting videos believed to be able to effectively undo ISIS's brainwashing. These video clips range from imams denouncing ISIS's corruption of Islam to testimonials from former extremists and clips filmed inside the group's dysfunctional caliphate in Northern Syria and Iraq.
Yasmin Green, Jigsaw's head of research and development, explains that the idea is based on an observation that, while the demand for ISIS material online is high, there are also many credible voices that are debunking their narratives online. He added that The Redirect Method is a targeted advertising campaign that aims show information that refutes ISIS recruitment messaging to those individuals who are vulnerable to it.
Along with the US-based Gen Next Foundation and the London-based startup Moonshot Countering Violent Extremism, Jigsaw plans to re-launch the program this month in a second phase. The Jigsaw program aims to be an antidote to extremism. The program will focus its method on North American extremists, both violent white supremacists and potential ISIS recruits.
