Twitter suspensions helping curb ISIS reach: Report

The reach of ISIS on Twitter has dwindled due to suspensions by the micro blogging site that have resulted in drastic reduction of followers for recruitment purposes or disseminating information, according to a new report.

The report titled `The Islamic State`s Diminishing Returns on Twitter`, by the Programme on Extremism at the George Washington University`s Centre for Cyber and Homeland Security, examined English-speaking ISIS supporters` accounts for a 30-day period in August and September 2015 with additional samples measured at various times from June to October.

It found that Twitter`s consistent suspensions of ISIS-affiliated accounts reduced the number of repeat offenders, and accounts that returned did not regain the high number of followers they had originally.

The researchers - J M Berger, fellow at the Programme on Extremism, and Heather Perez, a law enforcement analyst-found that individuals who repeatedly created accounts after being suspended suffered massive reductions in follower counts.

Additionally, suspensions diminished overall activity from these accounts and the broader network, they found.

"Suspensions have a measurable effect in suppressing the activity of ISIS networks on Twitter," said Berger, co-author of the study.