By now we've gotten used to expecting terrible things coming out of Daesh's (ISIS) vast web of online propoganda, so the fact they put a for-sale ad about new hostages in the latest installment of their online magazine Dabiq shouldn't be much of a shock.
The group's publication said on Wednesday it had two new captives — a Norwegian man and a freelance Chinese contractor. The ad did not specify when, where or how the group obtained the two men, just that they were available "for a limited offer" of release and transfer to the highest ransom bidder.
These are the sort of shock tactics Daesh has trademarked, but the move is also a grim reminder of something else about the group — their social media tools.
Dabiq 11 released by terror group ISIS. At the end it notes 2 new foreign hostages; 1 Chinese and other Norweigan. pic.twitter.com/9IX8iZndQV
— Dr Partizan (@DrPartizan_) September 9, 2015
At least on social media, what stood out to some users was a note at the bottom of the advertisement saying people can "contact the following Telegram number."
Telegram is a hugely popular messaging app that touts high security and speed for an experience like "SMS and email combined."
The mention had some users wondering whether the service could help track down the group.
Excuse me @telegram but ISIS are using YOUR network/application to sell hostage. Please find more info. on that number!!
— Dr Partizan (@DrPartizan_) September 9, 2015
Of course, like everything else online, this is a tool used by people all over the world. Whether we like it or not, that apparently includes Daesh.
Plenty of discussions have been raised about the responsibility of Twitter and other sites to fend off Daesh propoganda, but as we've seen, it's a fragile balance between security and freedom of speech online.
We're still not sure what the answer is, but either way, at the very least its a chilling reminder that the group is feeding off the same social media resources we all are.
