Australia to block internet domains hosting extremist content during terror attacks

By Alison Bevege

 

FILE PHOTO: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a joint press conference at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore, 07 June 2019. Wallace Woon/Pool via REUTERS

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will block access to internet domains hosting terrorist material during crisis events and will consider legislation to force digital platforms to improve the safety of their services, officials said on Sunday.

 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is in France to take part in the G7 leaders' forum, said the government intended to prevent extremists from exploiting digital platforms to post extremely violent content.

 

"We are doing everything we can to deny terrorists the opportunity to glorify their crimes," he said in a statement.

 

Australia and New Zealand have increased scrutiny of websites and social media companies in the wake of the Christchurch massacre in March, when 51 worshippers were killed in attacks on two New Zealand mosques.

 

The attack was livestreamed by alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant over Facebook <FB.O>.

 

The government said it would establish a framework to block domains hosting such material. Australia's eSafety Commissioner would determine on a case-by-case basis what should be censored, and was working with industry on arrangements to quickly block access during an attack.

 

A 24/7 Crisis Coordination Centre would be established to monitor the online world for extreme violence or terrorist material.

 

In addition to extremist violence, domains hosting any abhorrent violent material - defined as content showing murder, attempted murder, rape, torture, or kidnapping - that is recorded by anyone involved in the conduct also would be blocked, the government said.

 

The government did not elaborate on what legislative options would be used if digital platforms failed to improve safety.

 

Tech giants including Facebook, YouTube, Amazon <AMZN.O>, Microsoft <MSFT.O> and Twitter <TWTR.N>, along with Telstra <TLS.AX>, Vodafone <VOD.L>, TPG and Optus are expected to provide details to the government by the end of next month on how they will carry out the recommendations.

 

The firms are all members of the Taskforce to Combat Terrorist and Extreme Violent Material Online, which had recommended a clear framework be established.

 

It was not immediately clear how the move would affect media reporting of terror attacks or civil unrest.

 

SKY Network Television Ltd was fined NZ$4,000 (2,085.2 pounds) by New Zealand's Broadcasting Standards Authority earlier this month for showing a number of edited clips taken from the alleged Christchurch attacker's 17‑minute livestream video.

 

The regulator said in its judgment that, while the broadcast was newsworthy, the clips contained disturbing violent content which could cause distress, or glorify the alleged attacker and promote his messages.

 

(Reporting by Alison Bevege; Editing by Stephen Coates)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-08-27

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

It's called censorship 

2 minutes ago, Yme said:

It's called censorship 

And as  VILE as they are I find it  more VILE to censor it

It was not immediately clear how the move would affect media reporting of terror attacks or civil unrest.

 

Let me guess. They'll carry on toeing the official line like the docile little Establishment propagandists they are.

 

Politicians always like to show they're taking action, however ineffective the action really is

Dont they know VPN ?

 

 

They just want to censure, nothing more...

All democraties in the world are using (muslim) terrorism to change their low for remove freedom from peoples.

 

 

Wise decision...with dirtballs like any kind of extremists, from any place in the world,  only extreme measures can be applied.

Edited August 27, 20196 yr by observer90210