Online ecosystems reshape how terrorist threats emerge in Europe, Europol warns
Europol's latest terrorism report says online platforms are fundamentally changing how extremist threats develop and move from the internet into real-world attacks, marking what the agency describes as a new phase for terrorism in Europe.
The EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2026, published today, found that while traditional ideology-driven terrorism persists — with jihadism remaining the most prevalent form — radicalisation no longer depends solely on established ideological frameworks, Europol newsroom reports.
When violence shapes identities in a larger pool of perpetrators: new Europol terrorism report | Europol
The latest EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (EU TE-SAT) reveals how online ecosystems are reshaping terrorism. Traditional ideology-driven terrorism dominates the landscape, with jihadism being the most widespread form. However, for a significant number of perpetrators, violence has become a means of gaining identity, recognition, and belonging. This development has created a more fragmented, complex and less predictable threat across Europe.
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