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The Print
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Singapore warns of elevated terror threat amid rising extremist ideologies
The ISD in its report also highlighted the increasing role of online platforms in radicalisation, particularly among youths. According to ISD's Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2025, 'a volatile global landscape arising from developments such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continued traction of radical narratives' has intensified the proliferation of extremist ideologies, the Channel News Asia (CNA) reported on Tuesday. Singapore, Jul 29 (PTI) Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has warned that the country's terror threat remains high, citing a growing diversity of extremist ideologies and the misuse of evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence to propagate radical narratives. Social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, as well as gaming platforms like Discord and Roblox, and video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Bitchute, have been used to disseminate extremist materials, it said. From July 2024 to June 2025, eight self-radicalised Singaporeans — six males and two females aged between 15 and 56 — were dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Four of them were influenced by the re-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, two by pro-ISIS ideologies, and the remaining two by far-right extremist beliefs, the report said, adding that all of them encountered extremist content online. The agency also noted the uptick in the number of local self-radicalised youths, with half of the eight latest cases involving youths aged 20 or below. Singapore's trend mirrors a broader global trend, with several western countries reporting last year that one in five terror suspects are under 18, while European countries reported that nearly two-thirds of ISIS-related arrests involved teenagers, the report said. A total of 60 self-radicalised individuals — 48 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners — were dealt with under ISA since 2015, it said. The agency found that online platforms featured in terrorism-related activities in four broad areas: to enable the radicalisation or to accelerate it, to facilitate recruitment for terrorist-related activities; and to mobilise and prepare for armed violence. 'The emergence of technological innovations, such as AI, also risks complicating the terrorist threat globally and locally,' the ISD said. 'Even though there is no indication that evolving technologies, such as AI and 3D printing, have been used in any terrorist attack plot in Singapore, we are seeing an emerging trend of evolving technologies featuring in local youth self-radicalisation cases,' it said. The report cited two examples to buttress its point. A 17-year-old ISIS supporter, detained in September last year, used an AI chatbot to generate a bai'ah – an oath of allegiance – to ISIS, while another 17-year-old far-right extremist, detained in March, used an AI chatbot to find instructions for producing ammunition and considered 3D printing firearms to carry out attacks. 'There is a need for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors, especially with technology and social media companies, to create a safer online environment,' the ISD said. It noted that technology firms have stepped up their efforts, such as regulating and removing egregious content on social media platforms. 'However, technology companies could continue to explore further efforts in this area, including collaboration with religious and community organisations, to guide users in navigating the digital space and positively influence the online discourse,' it said. PTI GS SCY SCY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
Singapore warns of elevated terror threat amid rising extremist ideologies
Singapore, Jul 29 (PTI) Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has warned that the country's terror threat remains high, citing a growing diversity of extremist ideologies and the misuse of evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence to propagate radical narratives. According to ISD's Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report 2025, 'a volatile global landscape arising from developments such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continued traction of radical narratives" has intensified the proliferation of extremist ideologies, the Channel News Asia (CNA) reported on Tuesday. The ISD in its report also highlighted the increasing role of online platforms in radicalisation, particularly among youths. Social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and Instagram, as well as gaming platforms like Discord and Roblox, and video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Bitchute, have been used to disseminate extremist materials, it said. From July 2024 to June 2025, eight self-radicalised Singaporeans — six males and two females aged between 15 and 56 — were dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Four of them were influenced by the re-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, two by pro-ISIS ideologies, and the remaining two by far-right extremist beliefs, the report said, adding that all of them encountered extremist content online. The agency also noted the uptick in the number of local self-radicalised youths, with half of the eight latest cases involving youths aged 20 or below. Singapore's trend mirrors a broader global trend, with several western countries reporting last year that one in five terror suspects are under 18, while European countries reported that nearly two-thirds of ISIS-related arrests involved teenagers, the report said. A total of 60 self-radicalised individuals — 48 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners — were dealt with under ISA since 2015, it said. The agency found that online platforms featured in terrorism-related activities in four broad areas: to enable the radicalisation or to accelerate it, to facilitate recruitment for terrorist-related activities; and to mobilise and prepare for armed violence. 'The emergence of technological innovations, such as AI, also risks complicating the terrorist threat globally and locally," the ISD said. 'Even though there is no indication that evolving technologies, such as AI and 3D printing, have been used in any terrorist attack plot in Singapore, we are seeing an emerging trend of evolving technologies featuring in local youth self-radicalisation cases," it said. The report cited two examples to buttress its point. A 17-year-old ISIS supporter, detained in September last year, used an AI chatbot to generate a bai'ah – an oath of allegiance – to ISIS, while another 17-year-old far-right extremist, detained in March, used an AI chatbot to find instructions for producing ammunition and considered 3D printing firearms to carry out attacks. 'There is a need for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors, especially with technology and social media companies, to create a safer online environment," the ISD said. It noted that technology firms have stepped up their efforts, such as regulating and removing egregious content on social media platforms. 'However, technology companies could continue to explore further efforts in this area, including collaboration with religious and community organisations, to guide users in navigating the digital space and positively influence the online discourse," it said. PTI GS SCY SCY view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 14:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
CNA
19 hours ago
- CNA
ISD flags growing diversity of extremist ideologies in Singapore, emergence of AI as terror enabler
SINGAPORE: A growing diversity of extremist ideologies can be observed in Singapore, against a backdrop of the terror threat remaining at a high level, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said on Tuesday (Jul 29). This can be attributed to "a volatile global landscape arising from developments such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continued traction of radical narratives", the department said in this year's Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report. Evolving technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), was also highlighted by the ISD as a potential driving factor around the world, as well as in Singapore. From July 2024 to last month, the agency dealt with eight self-radicalised Singaporeans under the Internal Security Act (ISA), comprising six males and two females between the ages of 15 and 56. Four of them were triggered by the re-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, while two others were influenced by pro-ISIS extremist ideologies. The remaining two were indoctrinated by far-right extremist ideologies. This brings the total number of self-radicalised individuals here issued with ISA orders since 2015 to 60, comprising 48 Singaporeans and 12 foreigners. ONLINE INFLUENCE "OF CONCERN" ISD in its report also noted with concern the increasing variety of online platforms being used to disseminate extremist materials, especially among youths. These include social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, X, Reddit and Instagram, gaming platforms like Discord and Roblox, and video-sharing platforms such as YouTube and Bitchute, said the report. All of the last eight self-radicalised Singaporeans were influenced by extremist materials they encountered online, noted the ISD. The agency found that online platforms featured in terrorism-related activities in four broad areas: to enable the radicalisation or to accelerate it, to facilitate recruitment for terrorist-related activities; and to mobilise and prepare for armed violence. "The emergence of technological innovations, such as AI, also risks complicating the terrorist threat globally and locally," said the ISD. "Even though there is no indication that evolving technologies, such as AI and 3D printing, have been used in any terrorist attack plot in Singapore, we are seeing an emerging trend of evolving technologies featuring in local youth self-radicalisation cases." It cited the examples of a 17-year-old ISIS supporter detained in September last year who had used an AI chatbot to generate a bai'ah – an oath of allegiance – to ISIS, and a 17-year-old far-right extremist detained in March this year who used an AI chatbot to find instructions for producing ammunition and also considered 3D printing his own firearms to carry out attacks. "There is a need for increased cooperation between the public and private sectors, especially with technology and social media companies, to create a safer online environment," said the ISD. It noted that technology firms have in recent years stepped up their efforts, such as regulating and removing egregious content on social media platforms. "However, technology companies could continue to explore further efforts in this area, including collaboration with religious and community organisations, to guide users in navigating the digital space and positively influence the online discourse," said the ISD. The agency also noted the uptick in the number of local self-radicalised youths, with half of the eight latest cases involving youths aged 20 or below. "This brings the total number of youths dealt with under the ISA since 2015 to 17, with more than two-thirds (12) identified in the last five years," it said. Singapore's trend mirrors a broader global trend, with several western countries reporting last year that one in five terror suspects are under 18, while European countries reported that nearly two-thirds of ISIS-related arrests involved teenagers, according to the report. ISD also said in its report that since 2002, almost 85 per cent of Singaporeans detained under the ISA have been released after making good progress in their rehabilitation. Of the 46 who were issued with Restriction Orders, 39 have had their orders lapsed. "Most of them have also embarked on pro-social pursuits, such as upskilling themselves or taking up stable employment since their release." "ENDURING" ISLAMIC EXTREMIST THREAT Elsewhere in its report, ISD pointed to how the global Islamist terror threat persists, with organisations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda maintaining their enduring intent to conduct or inspire attacks. "ISIS is resilient and remains one of the world's largest Islamist terrorist organisations; it has cash reserves of some US$10 million (approximately S$12.9 million) and its fighters number between 1,500 and 3,000 in Iraq and Syria alone," said the agency in the report. "In Southeast Asia, ISIS's virtual or online caliphate poses a salient threat," said the ISD. "Its propaganda materials are both opportunistic and localised; they are tailored to exploit external developments, such as the situation in Gaza, and local grievances to reinforce ISIS's central narrative of armed violence." ISIS and Al-Qaeda have also been among the groups inciting others to conduct attacks against Israeli and Jewish interests, as well as those of countries seen as supporting Israel, since the re-escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Closer to home, a pro-ISIS TikTok user in March this year issued a poster titled The Call to Truth, which labelled various regional countries' governments, including Singapore, as "apostate" for oppressing Muslims, and urging Muslims to "take up arms" against those countries. And on Aug 21 last year, Indonesian authorities arrested Indonesian militant Yudi Lukito Kurniawan in Sulawesi, Indonesia, on terror charges. The former Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member had been tasked by terror group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in 2014 to lead an attack targeting the Singapore Exchange (SGX). It was intended as an indirect strike against the United States, with Singapore deemed as an ally of the US and geographically closest to Indonesia, said the ISD. When Yudi attempted to enter Singapore in February 2015 to possibly further the attack plot, he was denied entry due to his JI-related terror activities. "At the time of his attempted visit to Singapore, the Singapore authorities were not aware of the SGX attack plot," said the ISD. This underscores "the fluidity of terror allegiances amongst radicalised individuals given the broad common jihadist goals" of the various groups, noted the agency.
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Governments Must Rise To The Moment And Vote In Favour Of A Moratorium On Deep Sea Mining
The 30th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has ended with Greenpeace saying governments are continuing to fall short in protecting the deep sea. While high-level representatives from Palau, France and Panama attended to rally the international community, Greenpeace is calling for greater efforts from more governments to put a legal barrier between mining machines and the deep ocean. Upcoming ISA meetings must secure a moratorium and leave no room for rushed attempts to adopt a Mining Code. Recent developments have made it clear that outstanding political and scientific concerns cannot be hastily resolved under industry-driven pressure. Louisa Casson, Campaigner, Greenpeace International who attended the meeting, says: "Governments have yet to rise to the moment. They remain disconnected from global concerns and the pressing need for courageous leadership to protect the deep ocean. We call on the international community to rise up and defend multilateralism against rogue actors like The Metals Company. Leaders must respond by establishing a moratorium and reaffirming that authority over the international seabed lies collectively with all States-for the benefit of humanity as a whole." Juressa Lee, Greenpeace Aotearoa seabed mining campaigner, says: "Deep sea mining is the latest form of colonisation and extraction. Pacific civil society is overwhelmingly opposed to deep sea mining and must not be ignored in the rush by companies and states based in the Global North to start plundering the ocean." While calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining have not yet gained global consensus, they continue to gain momentum, supported by compelling arguments from a diverse group of countries. Croatia has just become the 38th government calling for a precautionary pause, moratorium or ban on deep sea mining. On Tuesday His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, addressed the Assembly, drawing attention to persistent efforts and intense pressure from the industry to rush the negotiations and finalise a Mining Code. He stated: "Exploiting the seabed is not a necessity - it is a choice. And it is reckless. It is gambling with the future of Pacific Island children, who will inherit the dire consequences of decisions made far from their shores." In the first meeting of the ISA since The Metals Company (TMC) submitted the world's first-ever application to commercially mine the international seabed, governments at the ISA Council responded by launching an investigation into whether mining contractors, including TMC's subsidiaries Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), are complying with contractual obligations to act in accordance with the international legal framework.
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Iran Confirms Nahid-2 Satellite is Operational in Orbit
Yara Sameh The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) has confirmed successful communication with the newly launched Nahid-2 satellite, having received its initial telemetry signals. This is reported by the Mehr News Agency , a partner of TV BRICS. According to ISA chief Hossein Salariyeh, these signals indicate that the satellite is stable and functioning as intended in its designated orbit following its launch from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome on 25 July. Nahid-2 is a telecommunications satellite that utilises the Ku-band, commonly used for broadband connectivity across the globe. Salariyeh stated that post-launch efforts are now focused on systematically testing each subsystem to ensure optimal performance. The satellite, entirely designed and built domestically, is equipped with a range of features including secure data transmission, onboard storage, and direct communication with ground stations. Salariyeh also highlighted that the successful launch of Nahid-2 marks a significant step forward in Iran's space capabilities, noting that the development of the next-generation Nahid-3 satellite is already underway. read more UAE's Lunar Mission Delayed to Tomorrow Twitter Lifts Trump's Account Ban Scientists Find Evidence Of 10،000 Black Holes Surrounding The Center Of The Milky Way Galaxy Greenhouse In Antarctica Able To Grow Vegetables Without Soil Or Sunlight Moving Over China: U.S. Is Again Home to World's Speediest Supercomputer Technology The 10 most expensive cars in the world Technology Top 10 fastest cars in the world Technology Lasers Could Make Computers 1 Million Times Faster Technology Smart technology taking control of our lives News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
