Ross Frenett
Ross Frenett is an Irish counter-extremism specialist and technology executive.[1][2] He is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Moonshot, a company that uses data analytics and digital campaigns to address online harms.[3][4] In 2026, he was appointed as a member of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission of Ireland.[5][6][7]
Early life and education
[edit]Frenett is from Cobh, County Cork.[3][4] He studied History and Politics at University College Cork[8] and later completed a master's degree in Security and Society at King's College London.[5]
Career
[edit]Before co-founding Moonshot, Frenett worked at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue[9] as the director of Against Violent Extremism, a network of former extremists and survivors of violent extremism.[10][3] His early work focused on the use of online platforms by extremist movements,[9] violent dissident republicanism[11][12] and female ISIS recruits.[13]
In 2015, Frenett co-founded Moonshot with Vidhya Ramalingam.[3][4][14] The company was founded in London and initially focused on countering violent extremism and terrorism. It later expanded its work to include disinformation, organised crime, gender-based violence, human trafficking and child exploitation.[3][15]
Electoral Commission
[edit]In April 2026, the Government of Ireland nominated Frenett and Lee Komito for appointment by the President as ordinary members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin.[6][16][7] Motions recommending their appointment were agreed by both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann in May 2026.[6][16]
References
[edit]- ↑ Keyes, Sean (2021-07-07). ""Desire for identity, belonging and meaning" – how Moonshot co-founder Ross Frenett talks political extremists back from the edge". The Currency. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ MacFarquhar, Neil (2019-12-30). "White Extremism Faces a Subversive Foe Online: Google Ads". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Taylor, Charlie. "'We work in the sewers of the mind' – Moonshot's Ross Frenett on fighting threats online". Sunday Business Post.
- 1 2 3 O'Shea, Joe (18 June 2021). "Meet the Cork man behind major tech company targetting terrorism and organised crime". CorkBeo.
- 1 2 "Members of the Commission". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- 1 2 3 "Appointment of Ordinary Members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin: Motion". oireachtas.ie. Houses of the Oireachtas. 26 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Cork man appointed to Electoral Commission". TheCork.ie (News & Entertainment). 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "Four UCC alumni to receive Alumni Achievement Award". www.redfm.ie. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- 1 2 "Viewpoints: How should radicalisation be tackled?". BBC News. 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
- ↑ Frenett, Ross (2024-12-15), "Uncomfortable Truths: A Practitioner Perspective on the Pitfalls of Engaging Formers for Violence Prevention", in Clubb, Gordon; Scrivens, Ryan; Islam, Md. Didarul (eds.), Former Extremists: Preventing and Countering Violence, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-776506-7, retrieved 2026-07-01
- ↑ Frenett, Ross; Smith, M. L. R. (2012-07-01). "IRA 2.0: Continuing the Long War—Analyzing the Factors Behind Anti-GFA Violence". Terrorism and Political Violence. 24 (3): 375–395. doi:10.1080/09546553.2011.624862. ISSN 0954-6553.
- ↑ Gallagher, Conor. "Dissident republicans operate 'broad, unsophisticated online networks'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ "Female Muslim converts drawn to Islamic State". BBC News. 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ LaChance, Naomi (2016-09-07). "Google Program to Deradicalize Jihadis Will Be Used for Right-Wing American Extremists Next". The Intercept. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Taylor, Charlie (17 June 2021). "Moonshot to establish software development centre in Dublin". The Irish Times.
- 1 2 "Appointment of Ordinary Members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin: Motion". Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 May 2026.