Our spies' eye on conspiracy theories that radicalise - finding the balance between free speech and acts of terror

Rebecca Kitteridge, director-general of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Our security intelligence service is monitoring extremist content and conspiracy theories prompted by the first year of the pandemic to gauge whether New Zealanders are becoming radicalised through it and - if so - capable of carrying out "acts of terrorism".

The statement from NZ Security Intelligence Service Rebecca Kitteridge came in response to Herald questions about activist converging, seemingly drawn together by the Government's response to Covid-19.

That includes conspiracy theories that paint the pandemic as a hoax carried out by world governments with a view to controlling populations.

Kitteridge said there had been a growth over the past year in the popularity of "some extremist ideologies and conspiracy theories, particularly those connected to racial identity and political motivations".

"This is likely due to an increase in grievances driven by Covid-19 and its economic and social impacts in different countries, ongoing global racial tensions, and the proliferation of online extremist rhetoric and sub-cultures, which are in some cases merging with or co-opting mainstream ideas or concerns."

Kitteridge said clear freedom of speech issues were at play, and also emphasised that a declared willingness to commit violent acts did not necessarily mean those espousing such views had the capability to carry them out.

The Herald approached Kitteridge after identifying converging ideologies among activist groups that appeared to have formed bonds through a united criticism of New Zealand's response to Covid-19.

Kitteridge said the NZSIS worked to identify groups and individuals with extremist views and then assessed the intent and capability to carry out violent, terrorist acts. The assessment could see the NZSIS continuing or expanding "security investigations" or working with police to reduce the risk.

She said the law meant the NZSIS had limits to the types of investigation it could run and needed additional authorisation as it stepped up its capabilities, including ministerial and other sign-off.

The Herald asked Kitteridge about online disinformation and misinformation, including groups with views out of step with our public health response to Covid-19 and individuals whose rhetoric implied violence.

She said: "New Zealanders have the legal right to freedom of speech. This includes the expression of views that most New Zealanders would find offensive.

"In the online world it is not uncommon for people to espouse extreme views and ideologies and speak casually in favour of violence. This often takes place using anonymised identities and in online sub-culture forums or discussion groups.

"It is important to note that holding and expressing extreme views or expressing support for violence do not necessarily mean that those individuals have the intent or capability to actually commit an act of violence."

Kitteridge said online trends seen across the world would inevitably affect New Zealanders, although most did not engage with or become influenced by it. That included extreme forms of "politics, racial identity and supremacist beliefs, extreme interpretations of different faiths, and different conspiracy theories".

Covid-19 had seen people spend more time at home online, meaning there was "more production and consumption of online material, including extremist content".

"People engaging with this material are often exposed to multiple ideologies or conspiracy theories. These people may believe in multiple ideological subsets or conspiracy theories and view issues in their own life or country through this lens.

"While many of the extreme views and conspiracy theories are not inherently violent, they can lead some people 'down a rabbit hole' towards more extreme material or violent views online.

"Where individuals follow these pathways and engage with extreme material and views without modifying influences, over time some can become radicalised. This is a security challenge around the world."