Cyber giants in firing line
Government attacks ‘enablers’
ONLINE giants Google, Facebook and Twitter have been accused of “enabling” violent extremism as the Federal Government flags a crackdown on digital platforms that are publishing hate speech.
It can be revealed more than 300 duplicate videos that called for attacks against Australian citizens were recently removed from 20 platforms within hours of receiving the referral from security agencies.
But some senior Government figures are asking how prominent internet companies allowed them to be published in the first place.
Sources say Australia could join with Britain and other key allies to further regulate cyberspace by putting a legal responsibility on industry not to direct users — even unintentionally — toward extremist propaganda.
Some “Five Eyes” member nations — an intelligence sharing alliance between Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US — are considering introducing domestic sanctions to ensure compliance, which would give regulators the ability to fine or prosecute those companies that failed in their legal duties.
Companies are also being urged to develop technology that automatically identifies and removes messages that incite violence.
It is understood an industry-wide levy could also be applied to social media companies and service providers to support awareness of deradicalisation and preventive extremism online.
One Government source said: “There’s clearly a balance to be struck but these companies are losing their social licence — some of them are simply enabling extremism.”
The Government has also pledged to spearhead an international crackdown on encrypted messaging services being used to plan terror attacks.
Attorney-General George Brandis will use an intelligence meeting in Canada to push for a new laws forcing digital companies including giants Apple, Facebook and Google to open up devices and encrypted messaging services to intelligence surveillance.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that “challenging and undermining the appeal of terrorist propaganda” was a priority of the Government, which had already invested $21.7 million to fight online extremism.
Mr Keenan said it was through the Government’s “robust engagement” with service providers, including social media companies, that more than 300 duplicate videos calling for attacks against Australian citizens were recently removed “within hours” of receiving the referral.
Senator Brandis said existing laws did not go far enough in imposing obligations on “corporates” to co-operate.
He said civil liberties points of view needed to be heard but he believed attitudes — especially among young people — towards the concept of privacy were changing.