Big data revolutionises Europe's fight against terrorism

The threat of terrorism has greatly accelerated the exchange of data between European states. Social media has become indispensable, both for investigative purposes and to fight propaganda. The "Fraternity Taskforce", a group of some 20 investigators, has probing into the Paris attacks of 13 November 2015 since late last year. But this team, based at Europol headquarters in The Hague, has no high-tech surveillance equipment or bullet-proof vests. Its main weapon and its biggest resource is data, vast quantities of data. The European police organisation's focus on terrorism has quickly taken off with this investigation.