The Abuse of Social Media and Messaging Platforms for Terrorist Financing

This research briefing by Gonzalo Saiz examines how terrorist and extremist actors exploit social media and messaging platforms to facilitate terrorist financing. Building on the FATF’s latest research, the paper identifies three core functions through which these platforms contribute to financing activity: directing supporters towards payment channels, collecting funds through platform monetisation features, and supporting the online infrastructure that sustains fundraising networks. Drawing on recent case studies, the briefing demonstrates how financial transactions that appear ordinary can acquire a terrorist financing nexus when connected to online communications and activity.

The report illustrates the need to connect online propaganda and private financial instructions to payment activity, identifying a persistent gap between the information available to social media platforms and the financial intelligence held by regulated entities. The briefing calls for stronger reporting mechanisms, closer cooperation between platforms and financial institutions, and a clearer assessment of the terrorist financing risks associated with platform monetisation.