On 11 September 2025, the Council of Europe’s Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT) published a report on the emerging patterns of misuse of technology by terrorist actors.
The report analyses how terrorist and violent extremist actors are misusing both established and emerging technologies to advance recruitment, communication, financing, planning, and execution of attacks. It explores why and how terrorists adopt new technologies, looking at the interplay of internal factors (strategic, structural, and individual) and external ones (relationships, resources, counter-terrorism measures). Case studies, such as the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) and virtual assets, illustrate how these technologies are evaluated, adopted, or resisted by terrorist actors depending on their cost, effectiveness, accessibility, and associated risks.
The report also explains how these technologies are shaping the current terrorist landscape in and affecting Europe. It highlights the central role of online platforms, ranging from mainstream social media to gaming environments, in radicalisation, the spread of propaganda, and instructional content.
In terms of counter-terrorism responses, the report highlights several key conclusions. Firstly, the gap between terrorist innovation and government countermeasures must be narrowed through horizon-scanning and rapid information sharing. Secondly, multistakeholder co-operation, including governments, private sector actors, and civil society, is critical to sustaining effective responses. Thirdly, human rights and fundamental freedoms must remain a central consideration when designing measures to tackle terrorist misuse of technology and to ensure legitimacy and resilience. Finally, the report concludes that a clearer strategic focus on desired outcomes, rather than rigid processes, can strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and help states prepare for the next wave of technological challenges.
The report was produced with support from the German Federal Foreign Office. One of the focus areas of the 2023-2027 Council of Europe Counter-Terrorism Strategy is the need to address the increasing use of new technologies by terrorists and violent extremist groups to advance their criminal activities, organise, finance, perpetrate and broadcast attacks.