SYDNEY: Australia’s eSafety regulator has recently taken action to hold social media giants accountable for their role in protecting users from violent extremists and terrorists. On March 19, the regulator announced that it had issued legal notices to Google, Meta, X, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Reddit, demanding an explanation of the steps they are taking to safeguard Australian users from extremist content online.
The influence of violent and extremist material on social media platforms has been linked to the radicalization of individuals involved in tragic events such as the 2019 Christchurch mosques shootings and a 2022 massacre in Buffalo, New York. Both perpetrators streamed parts of their attacks online.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, emphasized the ongoing high risk of terrorism and online radicalization, underscoring the responsibility of tech companies to prevent their platforms from being exploited for harmful purposes. In an official statement, Inman Grant stated, “We remain concerned about how extremists weaponize technology like live-streaming, algorithms, and recommender systems to promote or share harmful material.”
The Commission invoked transparency powers under Australia’s Online Safety Act to issue the notices, requiring the six targeted companies to provide detailed information on their efforts to address the issue. Inman Grant explained the strategic selection of these companies, citing evidence of their services being utilized by terrorists and violent extremists.
The companies, including Google, Meta, X, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Reddit, must respond within 49 days to elude financial penalties of up to A$780,000 (RM2.41mil) per day for non-compliance. A recent OECD report highlighted Telegram as the leading mainstream platform for terrorist and extremist content, with Google’s YouTube and X following closely behind. Meta-owned platforms, Facebook and Instagram, also ranked high on the list.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp’s ranking at 8th place raises concerns, and a report by the New York State Attorney General identified Reddit as a platform that contributed to the radicalization of the Buffalo shooter towards violent white supremacist extremism. The eSafety Commission plans to inquire about measures Telegram and Reddit have in place to address child sexual exploitation and abuse.
As the Commission awaits responses from the tech giants, they aim to publish further insights on their findings later this year. The actions taken by Australia’s eSafety regulator highlight the urgent need for social media companies to enhance their efforts in safeguarding users against extremist content and online radicalization.
