Social media companies active in Australia are to be called to account for their content following an investigation by a taskforce following the recent terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher joined the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison in announcing the outcome of the taskforce’s deliberations which called for the social media companies to take further steps to stamp out violent terror content and to keep Australians safe online.
Mr Fletcher said the recommendations from the Australian Taskforce to Combat Terrorist and Extreme Violent Material Online would result in tighter monitoring and controls on live streaming and a simulation exercise to further test social media companies’ capabilities.
Mr Morrison said social media companies needed to step up and recognise their responsibilities to ensure their platforms were not “weaponised” by violent terrorists and extremists.
“We’re doing everything we can with new laws and tighter controls at home and with our international partners to stop social media platforms being abused,” Mr Morrison said.
“Social media companies are on notice. If they don’t deliver on their commitments, we will move to legislate and do so quickly.”
The taskforce was formed following a Summit in March 26 convened by the Prime Minister and included members from Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, Microsoft and Twitter, along with Telstra, Vodafone, TPG and Optus.
Mr Fletcher said nine areas of agreement emerged.
He said these included developing technical measures to proactively stop terrorist and extreme violent material from being disseminated, and identifying and fast-tracking appropriate checks on live-streaming to reduce the risk of users spreading terrorist and extreme violent material.
He said they also agreed on the implementation of visible and intuitive user reporting mechanisms; improving transparency of the platforms’ efforts to combat terrorist and extreme violent material; and ensuring account management practices could be enforced against those who exploited the platforms.
The taskforce’s 13-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
