PJ detects 54 links to extremism in video games, including simulations of attacks on schools
The Judiciary Police identified 54 URLs with extremist content on online gaming platforms, as part of a Europol operation involving 16 countries.
Video games used to simulate terrorist attacks: PJ identifies 54 extremist links in Portugal
The Judiciary Police identified 54 links to extremist content on online gaming platforms and social networks, including simulations of terrorist attacks on schools and a mosque, according to dn.pt. The operation was conducted by the National Counter-Terrorism Unit as part of an international initiative coordinated by Europol.
The action involved authorities from 16 countries and made it possible to identify more than nine thousand links to violent and terrorist extremist content, disseminated across 47 social media and online gaming platforms.
In Portugal, according to a statement from the PJ sent to newsrooms, 54 URLs were identified, uploaded to the PERCI platform and referenced to online service providers. The content is essentially associated with the True Crime Community (TCC) and includes simulations of terrorist attacks on schools and a mosque in a gaming environment, glorification of perpetrators of attacks, and downloadable maps for the virtual reality game Bonelab intended for the recreation of these scenarios. Militant Islamist-themed avatars were also detected on Roblox and an invitation on Discord that promotes the migration of users from TikTok to a dedicated community.
The operation covered content of jihadist, far-right, far-left and anarchist inspiration.
According to the PJ, these communities use video games to recreate "the structures, narratives and symbols of terrorist organisations, as well as terrorist attacks". The activities may involve role-playing as members of these groups and the reconstruction of violent events.
The Judiciary Police warn that these practices may evolve into "coordinated efforts to produce and disseminate propaganda and recruit new members and sympathisers, including young people and minors". The introduction of extremist ideologies into interactive gaming experiences may, adds the institution, contribute to radicalisation processes.
In January of this year, the PJ launched the campaign "Hate online, Kills offline", dedicated to the online radicalisation of children and young people, with the aim of mobilising the State and civil society for a joint response to what the police consider "one of the greatest current challenges".
Source: SIC Notícias