Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH)

Overview

The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) is a British-American nonprofit with offices in London and Washington, D.C. that researches and campaigns against online hate speech, disinformation and other digital harms. It operates as two affiliated organizations, CCDH UK and CCDH US, sharing a chief executive and leadership team.

Key functions and role

CCDH publishes research identifying the sources and spread of online hate, disinformation and scams, including its widely cited 2021 "Disinformation Dozen" report on leading anti-vaccine influencers, and campaigns to pressure social media platforms and advertisers to reduce the reach of accounts and content it identifies as harmful. In 2022, it introduced the STAR framework -- Safety by design, Transparency, Accountability and Responsibility -- to guide policymakers on social media and AI regulation, and it advises governments and legislators in the U.S., UK and Europe on online-safety policy.

History

British Labour Party advisors Imran Ahmed and Morgan McSweeney founded the organization, initially incorporated in London as Brixton Endeavours Limited in 2018; it was renamed the Center for Countering Digital Hate in August 2019, and registered a U.S. nonprofit affiliate in 2021. McSweeney, a founding board member, resigned in 2020 and later became chief of staff to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In August 2023, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, then chaired by Representative Jim Jordan, opened an investigation into whether CCDH had coordinated with federal officials and social media companies on content moderation. In December 2025, the U.S. State Department imposed a visa sanction on CEO Imran Ahmed over allegations that CCDH had pressured American platforms to suppress viewpoints; a federal judge subsequently issued an injunction blocking U.S. authorities from detaining or deporting him.

Political positions

CCDH describes itself as a nonpartisan organization focused on online safety rather than political viewpoints. Critics, including Republican members of Congress and commentators such as Elon Musk, who unsuccessfully sued CCDH over its research on X, have characterized the organization's campaigns as a form of ideologically motivated censorship pressure; CCDH disputes this characterization and says its work targets harmful content and conduct rather than viewpoints.

Leadership

Imran Ahmed serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of both CCDH US and CCDH UK. Jemma Levene serves as Chief Operating Officer.

Location and contact info

Address
1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036, USA
UK Address
82 St John Street
London, EC1M 4JN, United Kingdom
Website
https://counterhate.com