A group of computer scientists has claimed that they have developed an algorithm which can help in decoding the Islamic State supporters' social media activity patterns. This in turn can help in predicting the probable time and place of next terrorist attacks.
The scientists explained their system of using an algorithm to rummage Russian social network VKontakte and look for pro-ISIS posts in multiple languages, RT.com reported quoting an article published by the researchers in the journal Science on Thrusday. ISIS has been using social media as a tool to spread its message, radicalize probable sympathizers as well as coordinate their activities.
According to the report, the computer scientists opted for VKontakte owing to its linguistic and cultural diversity. Moreover, the site does not remove ISIS-supportive posts as quickly as they are removed from Facebook. VKontakte is the leading European social networking service, boasting over 90 million users monthly and more than 5 billion messages a day.
The scientists from University of Miami in the U.S. observed roughly 108,000 users in 196 casual, informal social pro-ISIS groups, which are denoted as "aggregates." Generally, these groups would get together to chat about anything from tips for surviving drone strikes to avowals of their extremism.
Through the period of their research, the scientists looked for pro-Islamic State posts daily from mid-2014 until August 2015, and mined mentions of beheadings and blood baths in multiple languages on Vkontakte, New York Times reported. In the end, they created an equation that attempts to explain the goings-on of Islamic State sympathizers online.
The researchers discovered that although majority of the users of these groups possibly never met, they possessed an outstanding ability to adapt as well as expand their online longevity, enhance their size and number and reincarnate when shut down. Moreover, they were able to motivate "lone wolves" having no record of extremism to undertake horrendous attacks.
According to experts researching terrorism and online communication, the new study was informative. They also said that they would be happy if the authors made their data available to other researchers. At the same time, the experts cautioned that it is difficult to anticipate the activities of terrorist groups and stressed on the need for more information.
Watch footage of ISIS attack on Libya checkpoint below: