Identity-Based Disinformation: A Growing Threat to Social Cohesion and Security

Identity-based disinformation (IBD) has emerged as one of the most pernicious threats within the landscape of preventing and countering violent extremism. Unlike conventional misinformation, IBD specifically exploits core identity characteristics such as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and religion, creating particularly devastating effects on communities by attacking individuals’ fundamental sense of self and belonging.

Recent history provides alarming examples of IBD’s real-world impact. In Myanmar, anti-Rohingya propaganda spread through social media directly contributed to violence and helped normalize ethnic cleansing operations. In Western countries, the baseless “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which falsely claims that white populations are being intentionally replaced through immigration, has been explicitly cited by perpetrators of multiple terrorist attacks.

“Identity-based disinformation is uniquely dangerous because it leverages existing prejudices rather than requiring people to adopt completely new beliefs,” explains Samantha Bradshaw, an expert on digital disinformation. “It aligns with and exacerbates biases already present in society, making it particularly resistant to traditional fact-checking approaches.”

What makes IBD especially effective in fueling extremism is its ability to strengthen extremist narratives through several mechanisms. First, it intensifies polarization by portraying certain groups as fundamentally different or alien. Second, it aids recruitment by appealing to manipulated identity concerns, such as traditional understandings of masculinity or family values. Third, it suppresses activism by weaponizing disinformation against those attempting to express alternative opinions or advocate for marginalized communities.

The challenges in countering IBD are substantial. Traditional technological approaches have proven inadequate against the evolving tactics of extremist groups. Research has documented how far-right extremists are “jailbreaking” AI models to generate and spread extremist content, employing sophisticated strategies such as group brainstorming to avoid censorship, testing methods to circumvent safety measures, and using coded language to evade detection algorithms.

Standard counter-narrative strategies, which focus on directly debunking false claims, face significant limitations when confronting identity-based disinformation. Empirical evidence for their effectiveness in reducing violent intent is notably scarce, with systematic reviews suggesting limited impact. Moreover, challenging deeply held beliefs tied to identity often triggers defensiveness rather than openness to change – a phenomenon known as the “backfire effect.”

“When a narrative is intertwined with someone’s sense of self, challenging it feels like a personal attack,” notes Dr. Michael Loadenthal, a terrorism researcher. “Direct confrontation can inadvertently strengthen the very beliefs you’re trying to counter.”

In response to these challenges, experts are developing alternative approaches. One promising strategy is Positive Identity Expansion, operationalized through the Equal-Alternative Narrative (EAN) approach. Rather than directly attacking disinformation, this method works to broaden an individual’s sense of self by highlighting the richness and complexity of their identities and communities.

This approach competes with extremist narratives by providing equally compelling but pro-social alternatives that fulfill the underlying psychological needs – belonging, purpose, status, and significance – that make individuals vulnerable to extremist messaging in the first place.

The Organization for Identity & Cultural Development (OICD) has developed the “Reclaiming Our Narratives” toolkit to implement this strategy. The toolkit provides a structured methodology that helps communities develop their own equal alternative narratives by systematically analyzing the disinformation’s appeal and the target audience’s identity ecosystem.

“Instead of telling people what not to believe, we help them reconnect with positive aspects of their cultural identity that naturally lead away from extremism,” says Dr. Bruce Davenport, an anthropologist working in conflict prevention.

For instance, in a context like Myanmar, where Buddhist identity was manipulated to promote violence against the Rohingya, a Positive Identity Expansion approach would not directly challenge anti-Rohingya claims. Instead, it might emphasize how the Buddhist values of compassion and loving-kindness represent the truest expression of religious devotion, offering an equally powerful but non-violent path to significance and security.

The implications for policy and practice are significant. This approach suggests shifting P/CVE efforts beyond reactive debunking toward proactively building community resilience through strengthening positive identity narratives. It emphasizes needs-based intervention design, cultural context, community empowerment, and enhanced narrative literacy to help individuals understand how stories shape identity and why certain narratives appeal to underlying needs.

While not a panacea, Positive Identity Expansion provides a promising complement to existing efforts by addressing the root causes of vulnerability to extremist narratives rather than just the symptoms. By empowering communities to reclaim their own narratives and fostering inclusive identities, this approach offers a more sustainable path forward in countering the divisive impact of identity-based disinformation.