Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups have started to use TikTok, a popular social media platform known for its short-form video content, to disseminate their message, reach a wider audience, and recruit prospective members. This report will examine the content produced by Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist organizations and prominent individuals that can presently be found on TikTok.
Screenshot of TikTok showing an anti-trans rally held on March 18, 2023, by neo-Nazis in front of the Victorian Parliament building in Melbourne
Dissemination Of Message And Recruitment Via TikTok
Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups use TikTok to spread their ideology and recruit members. The platform's algorithm, which delivers content to users based on their interests and engagement, can expose users to extremist content. This increases the chances of these groups reaching a wider audience and recruiting vulnerable individuals who may be susceptible to their messaging.
To achieve this, the Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups create content tailored to the platform's format, which typically includes 15-second videos featuring provocative statements, controversial imagery, and catchy music. This content is designed to be attention-grabbing and shareable, increasing the likelihood of reaching users who may not be actively seeking it out.
Naming Conventions
Prominent Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist organizations as well as leading individuals within the movement do not have profiles on TikTok under their own names. Rather, users produce TikTok videos containing excerpts of other content such as videos, livestreams, podcasts, news reports, and graphic materials that include visuals of Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist organizations and individuals.
Accounts promoting Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist content typically include terminology referring to patriotism, nationalism, or Australia.
TikTok Hashtag Usage And Content Discovery
Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups use specific hashtags to make their content discoverable to those interested in their ideology, while also hiding it from the platform's content moderation efforts. These hashtags can directly reference prominent Australian neo-Nazi and white supremacist activists, organizations, or ideologies.
However, in order to avoid content moderation measures, more subtle hashtags are employed, which can be used to signal their ideology to sympathetic TikTok users.
The following report will highlight the use of TikTok by Australian neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO THE MEMRI DOMESTIC TERRORISM THREAT MONITOR (DTTM) TO READ THE FULL REPORT. GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA CAN REQUEST A COPY BY WRITING TO DTTMSUBS@MEMRI.ORG WITH THE REPORT TITLE IN THE SUBJECT LINE. PLEASE INCLUDE FULL ORGANIZATIONAL DETAILS AND AN OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR REQUEST. NOTE: WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A COPY ONLY TO MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDIA, AND ACADEMIA, AND TO SUBSCRIBERS; IF YOU DO NOT MEET THESE CRITERIA PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST.
The full text of this post is available to DTTM subscribers.
If you are a subscriber, log in here to read this report.
For information on the required credentials to access this material, visit the DTTM subscription page
