Sweden and Denmark tackle gang recruitment on social media

Tech platforms are under increasing pressure from Sweden and Denmark to address the rising issue of gang recruitment ads targeting young Swedes. These ads, often found on platforms like Telegram and TikTok, are being used to recruit individuals for violent crimes across the Nordic region. Concerns have grown as Swedish gang violence has begun spilling over into neighbouring countries, with incidents of Swedish gang members being hired for violent acts in Denmark.

The justice ministers of both countries announced their plans to summon tech companies to discuss their role in enabling these activities. They will demand that the platforms take greater responsibility and implement stronger measures to prevent gang-related content. If the responses from these companies are deemed insufficient, further action may be considered to increase pressure on them.

Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard highlighted the challenges posed by encrypted services and social media, which are often used to facilitate criminal activities. Although current legal frameworks do not allow for geoblocking or shutting down such platforms, efforts are being made to explore new avenues to curb their misuse.

Sweden, which has the highest rate of gun violence in the European Union, recently announced plans to strengthen police cooperation across the Nordic region. The country is also increasing security measures at its borders with Denmark to prevent further cross-border gang activity. The growing concern over gang-related violence underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts between governments and tech platforms.