App monitoring extremists on the way

Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák wants an 'app' for extremists, with the ministry planning to monitor internet discussions closely and pay €54,000 for this, Hospodárske Noviny reports. The police currently respond to cases of extremism on the internet that include hateful posts and comments only when somebody reports them, but according to the new approach, they are set to be more prompt in fighting extremism. The ministry is seeking an internet application with which it could monitor suspect websites and internet discussions. According to security analyst Jaroslav Nad from the Central European Policy Institute (CEPI), any form of fighting extremism is welcome. "Although I'm surprised that the ministry doesn't already have such an application," he added. Apart from reports from monitoring activities, police officers would receive daily updates from internet discussions. Experts agree that expressions of extremism are on the rise on the internet. According to security analyst Andor Sándor, the rhetoric of the public in Slovakia and the Czech Republic is in a way reflective of what the respective elites say, and the words of politicians are directly adding to the rise of extremism. According to sociologist Sylvia Porubänová, people are attracted most by the anonymity of the internet and it is young males who resort to extremism the most.