In the aftermath of a terror attack by Hamas on October 7, the group has experienced a notable surge in its online presence through the popular messaging app Telegram.
According to a CNN report, the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, has seen its Telegram followers triple, with video views and engagement with content from the account increasing tenfold.
Despite being banned from numerous social media platforms due to new internet laws within the European Union and prohibitions by major tech companies such as Meta and Google, Hamas has managed to maintain its presence on Telegram.
This platform, founded by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov and now based in Dubai, has been criticized for its loose content moderation rules, attracting extremist groups internationally and far-right organizations in the United States.
Before the attack, posts by the al-Qassam Brigades’ channel typically received an average of 25,000 views. However, post-attack, these posts are now viewed more than 300,000 times, marking a more than tenfold increase.
Another channel, featuring video messages from a Hamas spokesperson, has also experienced a substantial increase in followers, growing from 166,000 to over 414,000 since October 7.
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, defended his decision to allow Hamas on the platform by asserting that Telegram does not use algorithms to promote content.
He argued that Hamas’ Telegram channels provide a unique source of firsthand information for researchers, journalists, and fact-checkers. He questioned whether shutting down these channels would save lives or potentially put more lives at risk.
As the issue of content moderation on social media platforms continues to be a topic of discussion, it remains to be seen how this situation will evolve.
Durov emphasized that, unlike platforms that algorithmically promote content to unsuspecting users, Telegram users receive only the content they have subscribed to. This distinct approach, he argued, makes it unlikely that Telegram channels can significantly amplify propaganda.
Instead, they function as sources of direct information for various professionals. I think the complexities surrounding this matter require careful consideration, given the potential consequences in an already challenging situation.
On his own Telegram channel, Durov stated, “Every day, Telegram’s moderators and AI tools remove millions of obviously harmful content from our public platform. However, tackling war-related coverage is seldom apparent.
Earlier this week, Hamas used Telegram to warn civilians in Ashkelon to leave the area ahead of their missile strikes. Would shutting down their channel help save lives — or would it endanger more lives? It’s always tempting to act on emotional impulses. But such complex situations require thorough consideration that should also consider the differences between social platforms.”
The situation continues to be a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny as technology companies grapple with the challenges of regulating content on their platforms.
