We are living in the most connected era humankind has ever known. This extraordinary bounty of communication at our very fingertips has changed the way we relate with our peers, how we do business, and live our lives completely.

While it has definitely been a blessing on most fronts, this amazing network we call social media and the internet at large, has also provided an opportunity for the ill-intentioned to misuse it for a variety of nefarious reasons.

With this in mind, a pan-European project called CounteR has been in the works for the past three years, aiming to create a privacy-first solution, that would sound the alarm on, and possibly pre-empt violent terrorism, crime, and radicalisation.

Playing a central role in this project is Malta-based tech company ICON, a leader in software development, Data Analytics, and AI.

“CounteR allows law enforcement agencies across the continent, to obtain a better visual of a determinate situation at any point in time. The tool detects potentially dangerous situations, through a combination of network analysis, sentiment analysis, and image recognition, enhancing cross-platform and cross-entity intelligence,” says ICON CEO Ian Castillo.

“The ultimate goal is to equip law enforcement agencies, with cutting-edge radicalisation detection software that detects, tracks, and prevents radicalisation, offering an early-warning system to identify potential radical content and curb the spread of radicalisation, ultimately preventing life-threatening terrorist attacks.”

Quite the mammoth project, CounteR brought together a gamut of stakeholders, all of whom interested in the sensitive area, including law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, together with the private sector. In fact, over the course of three years, a consortium which was purposely set up and which included 19 organisations worked to create a system capable of identifying early signs of radicalisation and extremism.

ICON played a pivotal role in this initiative by leveraging its technical expertise to test and refine the platform, ensuring it met the specific requirements of law enforcement agencies.

“Naturally we are immensely proud to have been chosen to participate in this project and contribute directly to a better tomorrow. ICON piloted the requirements gathering and analysis, bringing the wants and needs of law enforcement agencies together into a cohesive solution. This involved in depth interviews, research and analysis. ICON also built a comprehensive testing process and platform to ensure that the product was robust and fully in line with industry standards and the end-users desires,” Ian continues.

The emphasis remained steadily focused on guaranteeing the utmost privacy for European citizens, as the tool had to remain faithful to the values cherished across the continent.

“One of the most significant challenges in developing a counter-radicalisation tool is balancing security with privacy. In order to guarantee privacy rights, CounteR exclusively and strictly monitors content, which is publicly available online, ensuring that private data remains protected,” Ian reassures.

In order to ensure a robust commitment to this subject, the consortium consulted and brought on board leading legal experts, including the Malta IT and Law Association (MITLA), to uphold stringent data protection standards.

The platform employs cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, data mining, natural language processing (NLP), and image analysis to identify potential threats. That means that through the use of AI, the platform can interpret conversations, understand idiomatic expressions, and detect imagery associated with radical or violent content.

“This revolutionary capability enables law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent terrorist threats more efficiently, before they potentially escalate into violence. By integrating real-time and static data sources, the platform provides a comprehensive view of emerging threats.”

This was achieved by integrating diverse data sources, developing analytical models in collaboration with subject-matter experts, ensuring hands-on involvement of European law enforcement agencies and disseminating the project results to encourage widespread adoption of the system.

“By connecting the dots from disparate pieces of intelligence, the platform provides a clearer picture for law enforcement agencies, empowering them to act more swiftly and effectively,” Ian adds.

And for ICON, the glowing reviews about their involvement in the project haven’t stopped flowing, most prominently from Catalin Trufin, Project Coordinator, ASSIST Software. "ICON has been an essential partner in the CounteR project, offering exceptional technical expertise and a strong commitment to privacy. Their contributions, particularly in platform testing and the integration of a graphical user interface (UI), have been invaluable. Their collaborative approach, combined with a focus on delivering impactful solutions, has been instrumental in creating a platform that will help counter radicalisation and improve citizen protection across Europe.

Participating in CounteR has been a proud milestone for ICON, which reflects the company’s mission statement to leverage the awesome power of tech, specifically AI for a better future. “This was not just a theoretical exercise. CounteR has real-world, life-saving implications. We have worked round the clock to ensure that law enforcement agencies receive a tool tailored to their needs.”

“ICON remains committed to advancing technological solutions that protect public safety while respecting privacy rights. The CounteR project is a testament to what can be achieved through trans-national collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision of a safer future,” Ian concludes.

For more information on the CounteR project, click here.