Tech companies have a functional responsibility to update search algorithms and generate less inflammatory content rather than agenda-driven/erroneous sites.

If this responsibility is not fulfilled, the resulting Islamophobic hate crimes and attitudes can lead to increased marginalisation, a strong push factor towards the radicalisation of Muslims.

Singapore is also sensitive to the dangers of Islamophobia, with government leaders publicly warning about the threat it poses to the country and its social fabric.

As such, these tech giants with their global reach should prop up initiatives against Islamophobia similar to those countering Islamist extremism — even in more local contexts.

…Mohammed Sinan Siyech is a Research Analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.