Australia sanctions ‘Terrorgram’ white supremacist online group

Australia on Monday imposed sanctions on the white supremacist online network Terrorgram, following similar actions by the U.S. and the U.K.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement that the sanctions are part of ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism and “keep Australians safe.” It is also the first time Australia has sanctioned an entity based entirely online.

“There is no place in Australia for antisemitism, hatred, or violence,” Wong said.

The new measures aim to cut off Terrorgram’s access to resources that could support its operations, including funding, recruitment, training or carrying out attacks. Violating these sanctions can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.

The Albanese Government has imposed strict counter-terrorism financing sanctions on white supremacist network Terrorgram as part of our work to combat antisemitism and keep Australians safe.

This is the first time Australia has ever imposed these sanctions on an online entity.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) February 2, 2025

Terrorgram is an online network that promotes white supremacy and racially motivated violence. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Terrorgram last month and designated it as a terrorist group. In September, the U.S. indicted two of its leaders on terrorism and hate crime charges.

According to the indictment, the suspects — California resident Dallas Humber and Matthew Allison, from Idaho — used the Telegram messaging app to spread a white supremacist ideology, claiming society is corrupt and beyond saving, and that violence and terrorism are necessary to spark a race war.

International law enforcement also arrested other individuals allegedly inspired or guided by Humber and Allison, including an individual who shot three people outside an LGBTQ+ bar in Slovakia and a person suspected of stabbing five victims near a mosque in Turkey.

Last April, the U.K. made it a criminal offense to belong to or promote Terrorgram, placing it in the same category as Hamas and ISIS.

Australia has recently faced a wave of antisemitic attacks, particularly in areas with large Jewish populations. These incidents include synagogue arson, antisemitic graffiti and vehicles and buildings being set on fire.

According to media reports, local authorities are investigating 15 serious allegations among more than 166 reports of antisemitic attacks received since mid-December.

In addition to sanctioning Terrorgram, Australia also renewed sanctions on four right-wing extremist groups on Monday: the National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base.