US prosecutors in California have charged two individuals with leading a white supremacist group on the messaging app Telegram, where they allegedly encouraged acts of violence across the country. In a 37-page indictment unsealed on Monday, Dallas Erin Humber, 34, and Matthew Robert Allison, 37, were accused of spearheading the "Terrorgram" network, which aimed to incite terror attacks to ignite a race war.

 

The indictment alleges that Humber and Allison used Terrorgram as a platform to distribute bomb-making materials, circulate assassination target lists, and urge members to carry out violent attacks. Prosecutors claim that Allison exhorted group members to "take action now" and "do your part," emphasizing the immediacy and necessity of their violent mission.

 

The pair allegedly took control of Terrorgram in 2022 after one of its previous leaders was arrested on terrorism charges.

According to the indictment, the group’s ideology is rooted in "white supremacist accelerationism," a belief system that advocates for the superiority of the white race and sees violence as essential to establishing a "white ethnostate."

 

At the forefront of this network, Humber and Allison allegedly disseminated extremist content, including videos and posts titled "The Hard Reset," "White Terror," and "The List." "The List" reportedly contained the names of "high value targets," including a US senator, a federal district court judge, and other state and local officials.

 

When announcing the charges, officials emphasized the seriousness of the alleged crimes. Matt Olsen, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated, "These are not mere words," highlighting that Humber and Allison were not just engaging in rhetorical incitement but actively working to provoke real-world violence.

 

Prosecutors also allege that several planned and executed attacks in recent years could be linked to the Terrorgram network. Among these incidents is an October 2022 shooting at an LGBTQ bar in Slovakia, where two people were killed, and a stabbing attack in Turkey. These events underscore the global reach and deadly potential of the network.

 

Both Humber, of Elk Grove, California, and Allison, of Boise, Idaho, face 15 federal counts, including solicitation of murder of a federal official, solicitation of a hate crime, and conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists. The pair were arrested on Friday, according to reports from the Associated Press. It remains unclear if either has secured legal representation.

 

In a related development, late last month, Telegram's chief executive, Pavel Durov, was arrested under a warrant for offenses related to the operation of his app. The ongoing investigation into Telegram centers on accusations of insufficient moderation, particularly in curbing criminal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied claims of inadequate moderation, but the latest charges against Humber and Allison highlight the app's use as a platform for dangerous and illegal activities.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-09-10

 

 

 

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4 hours ago, Social Media said:

The pair allegedly took control of Terrorgram in 2022 after one of its previous leaders was arrested on terrorism charges.

Like so many extreme rightwing white supremacists, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

 
 

45 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Like so many extreme rightwing white supremacists, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

 
 

 

Though still defined as a serious threat for domestic terrorism , at least by the FBI and some Western countries.

Just now, simple1 said:

 

Though still defined as a serious threat for domestic terrorism , at least by the FBI and some Western countries.

Absolutely.

 

And one those usually fixated on ‘terror’ choose to ignore.

56 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Like so many extreme rightwing white supremacists, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

 
 

Why are they right wing?

30 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Why are they right wing?

I didn’t say ‘right wing’

 

I said ‘extreme rightwing’.

 

Many, I would venture most, within the rightwing are not racists.

 

These characters clearly are.

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I didn’t say ‘right wing’

 

I said ‘extreme rightwing’.

 

Many, I would venture most, within the rightwing are not racists.

 

These characters clearly are.

Why are the extreme right wing? Do they work 23 hours a day?

2 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Why are the extreme right wing? Do they work 23 hours a day?

 

In a related development, late last month, Telegram's chief executive, Pavel Durov, was arrested under a warrant for offenses related to the operation of his app. The ongoing investigation into Telegram centers on accusations of insufficient moderation, particularly in curbing criminal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied claims of inadequate moderation, but the latest charges against Humber and Allison highlight the app's use as a platform for dangerous and illegal activities

 

 

 

 

bbc!! Perhaps a simple apology for the insufficient moderation and a statement that he would try better seems to be reasonable!
its a social media platform!

 

 

On 9/10/2024 at 10:33 AM, riclag said:

 

In a related development, late last month, Telegram's chief executive, Pavel Durov, was arrested under a warrant for offenses related to the operation of his app. The ongoing investigation into Telegram centers on accusations of insufficient moderation, particularly in curbing criminal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied claims of inadequate moderation, but the latest charges against Humber and Allison highlight the app's use as a platform for dangerous and illegal activities

 

 

 

 

bbc!! Perhaps a simple apology for the insufficient moderation and a statement that he would try better seems to be reasonable!
its a social media platform!


This is truly alarming, especially given how easily these groups use platforms like Telegram to spread hate and violence. I've read about similar fraud issues on Telegram. I decided to dive deeper into this topic and found https://moonlock.com/telegram-scams a great resource to read good information. It's crazy how many dangerous activities go unchecked in the app. It really makes you wonder what responsibility the platforms have in preventing this.

 

 

Durov arrest underscores the need for stricter content moderation on Telegram. Apologizing and improving policies could restore trust. Thanks for your opinion!

Edited October 12, 20241 yr by Minnierogers

Getting more like Assange. I suppose they will get some stooges from Sweden to say they were raped by him. I bet the US will want to get their hands on Durov and force him put a back door in so the FBI and CIA can pry. I think I read that Durov has French nationality, but cannot remember where I read it. France does not extradite its citizens, if we remember the famous Polish film producer that seduced a 13 year old girl in the 1970s (forgotten his name). The US has been after him 40 years or so but France (and Switzerland) have refused to extradite him.

22 minutes ago, retarius said:

Getting more like Assange. I suppose they will get some stooges from Sweden to say they were raped by him. I bet the US will want to get their hands on Durov and force him put a back door in so the FBI and CIA can pry. I think I read that Durov has French nationality, but cannot remember where I read it. France does not extradite its citizens, if we remember the famous Polish film producer that seduced a 13 year old girl in the 1970s (forgotten his name). The US has been after him 40 years or so but France (and Switzerland) have refused to extradite him.

Durov is already indicted in France.

11 minutes ago, candide said:

Durov is already indicted in France.

Kind of ironic his platform is called telegram,  perhaps the CEO's of all telecommunications companies had better watch out for everything ever said on their networks ( looking it you "Elon the despicable"  😋)  not to mention the regular post office..mind you it could be an employment boon  think of all those "minions" required to inspect every parcel and digital packet for "wrong speak"  "hurtful words" "misgenderisms" "dead naming"  "miss" "diss" and "mall" information   its a goldmine I wouldn't be surprised if someone had already  bought stocks and shares in such an "enterprise"

1 hour ago, johng said:

Kind of ironic his platform is called telegram,  perhaps the CEO's of all telecommunications companies had better watch out for everything ever said on their networks ( looking it you "Elon the despicable"  😋)  not to mention the regular post office..mind you it could be an employment boon  think of all those "minions" required to inspect every parcel and digital packet for "wrong speak"  "hurtful words" "misgenderisms" "dead naming"  "miss" "diss" and "mall" information   its a goldmine I wouldn't be surprised if someone had already  bought stocks and shares in such an "enterprise"

What are you ranting about?

The problem is that, as it is crypted, it is used by terrorists (apparently white supremacists in the U.S., but also by Islamist terrorists in Europe), drug traffickers, etc..

Edited October 12, 20241 yr by candide

5 minutes ago, candide said:

What are you ranting about?

The problem is that, as it is crypted,

Well of course  just give me all your passwords I promise not to misuse them...what you object ! are you a terrorist,white supremacist  Islamist  drug trafficker  ????   see how that works  no probably not 

15 minutes ago, johng said:

Well of course  just give me all your passwords I promise not to misuse them...what you object ! are you a terrorist,white supremacist  Islamist  drug trafficker  ????   see how that works  no probably not 

More incoherent rant...

Edited October 12, 20241 yr by candide

On 9/10/2024 at 2:22 PM, maesariang said:

Why are the extreme right wing? Do they work 23 hours a day?

Terrorgram (sometimes stylised in all caps)^[2] refers to a decentralized network^[1] of Telegram channels and accounts that subscribe to or promote militant accelerationism. Terrorgram channels are neo-fascist in ideology, and regularly share instructions and manuals on how to carry out acts of racially-motivated violence^{[clarification needed]} and anti-government terrorism. Terrorgram is a key communications forum for individuals and networks attached to Atomwaffen Division, The Base, and other explicit militant accelerationist groups.^[3]

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorgram}