Tech Industry Promises Fall Flat As Platforms Continue Hosting Video
(New York, N.Y.) – The tragic murder of 51 people at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch, New Zealand one year ago shocked the world. The gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook—the video of which continues to be re-uploaded across the Internet. Sadly, the Christchurch video remains a case study of how sites and platforms continue to be misused by extremists, especially when tech companies fail to take the steps necessary to prevent the hosting or broadcasting of extremist content.
Despite the tech industry’s promises to halt extremists’ misuses of their platforms, portions of Brenton Tarrant’s livestream can still easily be found online today. Moreover, the Christchurch attacks have already inspired others to commit violence, such as the tragic El Paso shooting last August that killed 22 people. Tech companies must proactively address deficiencies in their anti-abuse and online content moderation practices to ensure that individuals, such as Tarrant, cannot use these sites to promote their hate and violence.
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Christchurch attack, researchers at the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) launched an investigation into copies of Brenton Tarrant’s terror attack video online. CEP found that the video, clips of the video, and content celebrating Tarrant’s actions remain easily locatable on file hosting websites, chan-style message boards, and video streaming platforms.
White supremacist Telegram chats and channels continue to be a place where the attack video is shared, and Tarrant is celebrated. One version of the video, on a channel dedicated to Tarrant, has been online since the day of the attack and has been viewed over 8,500 times. Another copy, also on a channel dedicated to Tarrant and that has encouraged further attacks, has been viewed more than 3,000 times. A Google Drive link of a .zip file of the Christchurch shooting was shared on the social media platforms Gab. And an Islamophobic YouTube video praising Tarrant and his attack was also located.
CEP has redacted links to the files detailed below and, where applicable, filed reports with their respective web hosts as a violation of their general terms of service agreements. Additionally, the names of some websites have been redacted to prevent additional dissemination.
To read CEP’s New Zealand resource, please click here.
Christchurch-Related Content:
Compressed Zip File Of Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Google Drive
Website: Google Drive
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately one year, March 15, 2019
Note: This video cannot be streamed via Google Drive. A .zip file was compressed and uploaded to Google Drive, and the link was shared on the Gab social media platform. Viewing requires downloading and “unzipping” the compressed file.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Mega.NZ
Website: Mega.NZ
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: Possible to stream the video on Mega.NZ. File name includes the name “Brenton Tarrant.” Mega.NZ is a New Zealand based company that adheres to New Zealand laws.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Telegram
Website: Telegram
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately one year
Note: There are multiple copies of the Christchurch terror attack video on Telegram. One version, on a channel dedicated to Brenton Tarrant, has been online for approximately one year and has been viewed over 8,500 times. Another copy, also on a channel dedicated to Brenton Tarrant and that has encouraged further attacks, has been viewed over 3,100 times.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Right Wing “Free Speech” Streaming Site
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately one year, March 15, 2019
Note: The site has previously removed other versions of the Christchurch video. The website is registered in the United Kingdom.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Troll Web Forum
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: This link has been shared on numerous websites including: Reddit, 4chan, Yahoo Answers, Voat, AR15.com, and the Nordic Resistance Movement website. The forum uses Cloudflare as their name server, and Dreamhost as their registrar.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On File Download Site
Website: global-files.net
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: N/A
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Video Site Devoted To Gore/Murder/Torture
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately one year, March 14, 2019
Note: The website uses Cloudflare as its name server and registrar. The site is dedicated to sharing photos and videos of gore, murder, torture, and other illegal activity.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Personal Website
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: Arvixe is the name server. Tucows is the registrar.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Anonymous File Upload Site
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: Multiple uploads located. The site uses Cloudflare as its name server. Tucows is the registrar.
Christchurch Terror Attack Video On Pro-Firearms, Right Wing “Free Speech” Video Streaming Site
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately six months.
Note: Streaming video that has 49 views as of March 10. The site uses Cloudflare as its name server. GoDaddy is the registrar.
Video Segments, Clips, Memes:
Numerous Clips Of Christchurch Terror Attack, Memes, Glorification Of The Attacker On 8chan Successor
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: A thread dedicated to glorifying Brenton Tarrant, mocking and dishonoring the victims of his attack, and encouraging future violence. The thread contains multiple clips from the attack video. The website’s name server is VanwaNet.com.
Numerous Clips Of Christchurch Terror Attack And Memes On 4chan Archive
Website: Website redacted.
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: All video files are in .webm format (with the exception of one .gif file) that are hosted on an archive of 4chan, and can be posted on the imageboard. 4chan’s name server is Cloudflare. The site’s registrar is redacted.
Terror Video Clips And Memes Glorifying Tarrant On The Internet Archive
Website: Internet Archive
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately 4 to 5 months
Note: Numerous examples of video clips that use footage from the attack to praise or glorify the perpetrator.
Clips From The Terror Attack Video On Gif Website, Gfycat.Com
Website: Gfycat.com
Time Online/Uploaded: Approximately one year, March 15, 2019
Note: Both gifs were most likely uploaded before the website added the video to their upload filter.
Media Praising Brenton Tarrant:
Islamophobic YouTube Video Praising Accused Christchurch Terrorist, Brenton Tarrant
Website: YouTube
Time Online/Uploaded: Four months, November 15, 2019
Note: A song praising Brenton Tarrant and his terrorist attack.
Videos On Right Wing “Free Speech” Streaming Site Praising Accused Christchurch Terrorist
Website: Website redacted.
Note: Multiple videos that praise Tarrant or use footage from his attack in pro-Tarrant memes were located.
Video On Streamable Praising Brenton Tarrant
Website: Streamable
Time Online/Uploaded: Not determined.
Note: Individuals praising the attack. 20 views on March 10.