Background Since the late 1990s, as global connectivity has increased, terrorist and violent extremist groups have become more sophisticated in their use of information and communications technologies (ICT), in particular the internet and social media, to radicalise and recruit terrorist fighters and supporters, spread propaganda and transfer knowledge and funds or to generate funds in support of their ideas and operations. These developments have important implications for the private sector, in particular those technologies and social media companies whose products and services are used by millions, if not billions of people across the globe. On the one hand, the companies in question feel a business incentive to create a digital environment where their users feel safe, and are increasingly compelled by governments to cooperate in blocking, filtering, countering or removing content or accounts on the grounds of public safety or national security concerns. In addition, users expect the companies to be transparent, accountable, respect privacy and freedom of opinion and expression and guarantee remedy, while also ensuring an open, free and secure internet. This reality has led to greater voluntary engagement of the private sector in efforts to respond to terrorist use of the internet and ICT. This engagement includes industry-driven initiatives and participation in multi-stakeholder and public-private fora focusing on normative, technical and organizational issues, as well as engagement with academia. Together, these efforts are resulting in the gradual emergence of a normative framework shaping private and public action in this area, as well as growing awareness of the scope of the problem. However, important challenges remain, including the reality that many industry actors are yet to engage and the risk that some government actions can undermine this progress. 1. Project Objectives The key objectives of the project were to identify the emergence of norms of voluntary selfregulation amongst the private sector in their responses to terrorist use of their products and services, highlight multi-stakeholder and public-private initiatives aimed at supporting efforts in this area, identify persisting challenges, and recommend further areas for engagement. To this end, the project conducted an initial series of consultations with multiple stakeholders on the following: - Existing and emerging threats relating to the use of the internet and ICT for terrorist purposes. Industry approaches to responding to terrorist use of the internet and ICT and emerging principles, standards and practices shaping that response. Trends in multi stakeholder and public-private engagement in responding to terrorist use of ICT. Mechanisms/ platforms for information exchange and sharing of lessons/ practice on the industry response to terrorist use of the internet and ICT. The consultations were carried out largely through three workshops held in: - Geneva (inception meeting), 8 April, 2016, hosted by OHCHR Zurich, Switzerland on 25 August 2016, hosted by ETH Zurich 3