Document: Exploitation of new technologies for extremist and terrorist purposes
Topic
Country/Region
28 August 2025
A note from the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU to the Terrorism Working Party, circulated on 20 June 2025.
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On 20 June 2025 the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU circulated a note to member states' delegations in the Terrorism Working Party, entitled 'Exploitation of new technologies for extremist and terrorist purposes' (pdf).
It highlights concern amongst state authorities about the potential use for "radical group operations" of a variety of technologies:
- 3D printing;
- chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials (CBRN-E);
- unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones);
- encrypted communications platforms;
- blockchain and cryptocurrencies;
- artificial intelligence (AI); and
- the metaverse.
These technologies can support "illicit financing and secure communication channels to facilitating the execution of terrorist attacks," the note says.
However, they can also be "leveraged by states to detect, prevent, and mitigate emerging threats."
Document
- Exploitation of new technologies for extremist and terrorist purposes (Council doc. 10394/25, LIMITE, 20 June 2025, pdf)
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Further reading
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Spain: Terrorism charges against protesters undermine "international human rights and democratic standards"
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