Research Finds Over 550 Pro-Hamas Songs on SoundCloud
A Foundation for Defense of Democracies study identified more than 550 pro-Hamas tracks using coded titles on the audio platform. The report links online extremist content to several past U.S. attacks and calls for stronger moderation.
middleeasteye.netA research associate at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies documented more than 550 unique pro-Hamas songs on SoundCloud that use altered spellings to bypass automated filters. The study noted that replacing the letter “H” with the numeral “7” is one common tactic.
SoundCloud has removed Islamic State and al-Qaeda material in the past, yet the same level of detection has not been applied to Hamas-linked content, the report stated.
The Trump administration’s counterterrorism strategy directs federal agencies to identify and neutralize terrorist media platforms before plots occur. The report recommends that agencies coordinate with streaming services to flag and delete material that glorifies attacks on civilians.
Since 2006, 118 people have been killed and more than 760 injured in the United States by individuals inspired by Islamist ideology, according to the study. The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, and the 2025 New Orleans New Year’s attack were each carried out by perpetrators who had consumed or shared extremist audio online.
The New Orleans attacker had uploaded songs and audio clips to SoundCloud that promoted his views, the report said.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- May 26, 2026
FDD report identifies over 550 pro-Hamas songs on SoundCloud.
1 sourceFDD - January 2025
Trump administration issues new counterterrorism strategy on media platforms.
1 sourceFDD - January 1, 2025
New Orleans New Year’s attack carried out by individual radicalized online.
1 sourceFDD
Potential Impact
- 01
SoundCloud may increase automated detection of altered spellings in song titles.
- 02
Federal agencies could expand formal requests to audio platforms for content removal.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
The GuardianWHO Chief Visits DRC as Ebola Death Rate Reaches 30-50%
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support containment of a new Ebola outbreak. The agency revised the death rate to 30-50% based on confirmed cases and recorded 10 confirmed and 223 suspected d…
westernjournal.comGreek National Charged in UK With Aiding Iran-Linked Intelligence Service
A 46-year-old Greek man living in Germany was charged under the UK National Security Act with assisting an intelligence service believed to be Iran by targeting a journalist at Iran International.
straitstimes.comJournalists in Gaza to Receive 2026 Golden Pen of Freedom Award
Three international news agencies will accept the award on behalf of their local staff still reporting from the territory. The World Association of News Publishers cited the journalists' continued coverage under extreme conditions.