The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) and Telegram platform have boosted their collaboration to combat terrorism and extremism.
On Thursday, Etidal and Telegram signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their joint cooperation in the field of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The new agreement builds on their ongoing cooperation in combating extremist content.
The MoU, signed by the Secretary-General of Etidal, Mansour Al-Shammari, and Telegram‘s Chief Operating Officer, Mikhail Ravdonikas, aims to open new horizons for continued cooperation in combating extremist and terrorist propaganda activities, building capacities, and launching initiatives that contribute to achieving common objectives.
This move underscores the solid relationship and productive collaboration between Etidal and Telegram, announced in February 2022.
His Excellency the Secretary-General of #Etidal, Dr. Mansour Al-Shammari, and Mr. Mikhail Ravdonikas, representing #Telegram @telegram, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen joint cooperation in combating extremist and terrorist propaganda activities, building… pic.twitter.com/Cc3ZA04To5
— ETIDAL | English (@etidalorg) January 23, 2025
Since their partnership started, Etidal has removed more than 160 million extremist content items from Telegram. During the fourth quarter of 2024, Etidal removed over 31 million extremist content items from the messaging platform.
In response, Telegram expressed its appreciation for Etidal’s efforts to combat online extremism, which fall within the framework of their partnership. Furthermore, it reaffirmed that their partnership aligns with Etidal’s efforts to enhance joint cooperation to protect communities from the threat of extremism and promote the values of moderation and peace worldwide.
Established in 2017 under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Etidal is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh. It aims to fight extremist ideology and promote a counter-narrative that promotes moderation. To this end, Etidal introduced several initiatives and projects to bolster its efforts in combating extremism.
