The Islamic State’s carefully crafted network, which is spread globally, has been an elusive one for authorities so far. But its propaganda has been equally visible given the social media presence it has achieved and it seems the organisation is enhancing it further.
Reports suggest that the online hacktivist group Ghost Security has blown the lid off Islamic State’s own smartphone app called Amaq News, for sharing propaganda material like beheading videos and war updates, the International Business Times r eports .
ISIS propaganda | Source: Reuters
The App which is named after the IS affiliated Amaq News Agency, will be available for Android but not on Google Play. Instead it will have to be manually downloaded and those already in touch with ISIS will get invites to do so .
The invites are predominantly sent by encrypted channels or via Telegram which has recently come across as a popular platform among Islamic State followers.
Representational image | Source: Reuters
The move comes after a crackdown on Islamic State linked accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Telegram. Twitter still remains a mode of communication for IS sympathisers in US, but Facebook has been discarded given their accounts being disabled.
The app uses encryption technology for communication and has prompted demands for allowing security agencies to bypass encryption , while firms providing encryption services are working on measures to stop terrorists from taking advantage.
ISIS billboards in Raqqa | Source: Reuters