Australia, First Country to Hold Social Media Platforms Accountable

Australia is the first country in the world to introduce imprisonment and hefty fines for social media giants that do not quickly remove violent material. Before the federal election, the government will implement two new set of offences in the criminal code.

The Australian government came up with this laws after Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Attorney-General Christian Porter were left unimpressed after a meeting with social media companies, in response to the Christchurch terror incident that live-streamed the killing of 50 people in New Zealand. The PM said big social media companies have a responsibility to take every possible action to ensure their technology products are not exploited by murderous terrorists.

Sources say platforms anywhere in the world must notify the Australian Federal Police if they become aware their service is streaming abhorrent violent conduct that is happening in Australia. The new laws will give the eSafety Commissioner the power to issue notices that bring this type of material to the attention of the social media companies. When the companies receive that type of notice, they will be deemed to be aware of the material and the clock starts ticking for the hosting platform to remove the material or face penalties.

The new laws will also ensure that the news media can report appropriately on the events which are in the public interest, but without showing the violent material itself.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said many actions need to be taken to keep Australians safe in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks. "Foremost among these is to recognize how social media platforms are being weaponized by terrorists."

The new laws will capture the playing or streaming of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, torture, rape and kidnapping on social media.