The official inquiry into the 2019 lone-wolf terrorist attack[1] on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 51 people and injured another 40, has found that YouTube was "a far more significant source of information and inspiration" than extreme right-wing websites.
The inquiry also highlighted the limitations of counterterrorism efforts when a potential terrorist is just one of many people espousing extremist views.
The final report[2] of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain [mosques] on 15 March 2019, was published on Tuesday.
In line with common New Zealand media practice and the report itself, your correspondent will not name the perpetrator here, but refer to him simply as "the individual".
"The individual claimed that he was not a frequent commenter on extreme right-wing sites," the report said.
"Although he did frequent extreme right-wing discussion boards such as those on 4chan and 8chan, the evidence we have seen is indicative of more substantial use of YouTube and is therefore consistent with what he told us."
He also followed instructions on YouTube videos to modify his guns and accessories to maximise their effectiveness during his attack.
"YouTube has been often associated with far right content and radicalisation," the report said.
Whether YouTube's recommendation engine leads users to ever more extreme material, or whether the widespread availability of videos supporting far-right ideas reflects demand, remain unanswered questions.
"What is clear, however, is that videos supporting far-right ideas have been very common on YouTube," the report said.
"YouTube has made changes in response to these criticisms, in particular to their recommendation system, so it is less likely to continue recommending increasingly extreme content and has