America First Legal (AFL) has released government documents revealing the Biden administration's support for Imran Ahmed's global censorship campaign through the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). The documents obtained from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State show the administration's mobilization of U.S. counterterrorism assets to aid CCDH's efforts.
According to AFL, the Biden administration utilized the national security state to justify censorship, with its National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism stating that online platforms make Americans vulnerable to harmful content. AFL criticized the administration for turning to the national security state and technology companies to censor political opponents.
The Biden administration's endorsement of the "Christchurch Call to Action" was also highlighted, with the administration pledging support for efforts to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This move was in contrast to the Trump administration's refusal of the initiative on free speech grounds.
CCDH, described as a UK-based nonprofit focused on combating online hate and disinformation, was supported by the Biden administration for its work in analyzing and addressing domestic terrorism. The organization gained attention for its report on anti-vaccine content online, which led to White House officials pressuring social media companies to deplatform individuals identified in the report.
Eva Hartshorn-Sanders, a key figure at CCDH, was noted for promoting online censorship legislation and engaging with government officials to discuss research and policy recommendations. The White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse, established under the Biden administration, worked closely with CCDH to address issues of digital hate and disinformation.
In response to CCDH's research and policy recommendations, the White House published an Initial Blueprint for the Task Force, highlighting federal funding, grants, and enforcement actions aimed at promoting digital equity and accountability on social media platforms. According to Hartshorn-Sanders, CCDH played a role in shaping the development of this Blueprint.