Tech titans tackled: eSafety Commissioner issues legal notices as online extremist material surges!
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In an era where the internet has become a central hub for communication, entertainment, and information, it's also unfortunately become a breeding ground for less savoury elements.
The rise of online extremist material is a growing concern globally, and Australia is taking a stand.
The country's eSafety Commissioner, in a bold move, has issued legal notices to six of the world's largest tech companies, demanding answers and action.
The tech giants in question—Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Reddit—are now under legal obligation to report on their strategies for combating the spread of violent and extremist content on their platforms.
With a 49-day deadline to respond, these companies may incur millions of dollars in penalties if they fail to comply.
This unprecedented step by the eSafety Commission highlighted the seriousness of the issue.
Five years have passed since an Australian perpetrated an attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, resulting in the deaths of 51 individuals, which was livestreamed on social media.
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, expressed particular concern over the use of generative AI to disseminate terrorist propaganda and disinformation.
She also noted that she continues to receive reports of perpetrator-created material, including videos, from terrorist attacks being circulated on mainstream platforms, although there has been a slight reduction on platforms like X and Facebook.
Reports surfaced that users on an Islamic State forum had been comparing the AI capabilities of platforms like Google’s Gemini, ChatGPT, and Microsoft’s Copilot, which could potentially be exploited for nefarious purposes.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report's findings are alarming, with encrypted messaging app Telegram identified as having the highest prevalence of extremist material.
YouTube and Elon Musk's owned X are not far behind in second and third, respectively.
‘It’s no coincidence we have chosen these companies to send notices to as there is evidence that their services are exploited by terrorists and violent extremists. We want to know why this is and what they are doing to tackle the issue,’ Ms Inman Grant declared.
‘Transparency and accountability are essential for ensuring the online industry is meeting the community’s expectations by protecting their users from these harms.’
Interestingly, TikTok, a platform known for its viral short videos, is also under scrutiny.
It stands out as the only major social media company not signed up to a global pact to counter extremism, potentially placing it next in line for similar legal action.
How do you feel about the rise of extremist content online, and what measures do you think should be taken to combat it? How do you think regulators can balance between freedom of expression and maintaining a safe online environment for all? Share your opinions in the comments below.
The rise of online extremist material is a growing concern globally, and Australia is taking a stand.
The country's eSafety Commissioner, in a bold move, has issued legal notices to six of the world's largest tech companies, demanding answers and action.
The tech giants in question—Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Reddit—are now under legal obligation to report on their strategies for combating the spread of violent and extremist content on their platforms.
With a 49-day deadline to respond, these companies may incur millions of dollars in penalties if they fail to comply.
This unprecedented step by the eSafety Commission highlighted the seriousness of the issue.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner issued legal notices to six tech firms over the spread of extremist content online. Credits: Shutterstock
Five years have passed since an Australian perpetrated an attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, resulting in the deaths of 51 individuals, which was livestreamed on social media.
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, expressed particular concern over the use of generative AI to disseminate terrorist propaganda and disinformation.
She also noted that she continues to receive reports of perpetrator-created material, including videos, from terrorist attacks being circulated on mainstream platforms, although there has been a slight reduction on platforms like X and Facebook.
Reports surfaced that users on an Islamic State forum had been comparing the AI capabilities of platforms like Google’s Gemini, ChatGPT, and Microsoft’s Copilot, which could potentially be exploited for nefarious purposes.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report's findings are alarming, with encrypted messaging app Telegram identified as having the highest prevalence of extremist material.
YouTube and Elon Musk's owned X are not far behind in second and third, respectively.
‘It’s no coincidence we have chosen these companies to send notices to as there is evidence that their services are exploited by terrorists and violent extremists. We want to know why this is and what they are doing to tackle the issue,’ Ms Inman Grant declared.
‘Transparency and accountability are essential for ensuring the online industry is meeting the community’s expectations by protecting their users from these harms.’
Interestingly, TikTok, a platform known for its viral short videos, is also under scrutiny.
It stands out as the only major social media company not signed up to a global pact to counter extremism, potentially placing it next in line for similar legal action.
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