October 2021
UN-backed tech group raises alarms over Australia’s social media laws
Tough new laws enacted after the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attacks to prevent the spread of extremely violent online content appear to be doing their job, says the eSafety Commissioner.
- Max Mason
October 2020
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Global heroine must battle for growth at home
If Jacinda Ardern is re-elected prime minister, as expected, the challenge will be to reopen New Zealand's economy and sharpen its growth potential.
- The AFR View
August 2020
Christchurch terrorist could serve life sentence in Australia
Scott Morrison says he is "open to discussions" about where the shooter should be held in prison.
- Tom McIlroy
New Zealand mosque shooter sentenced to life without parole
Australian gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant has been given the maximum available sentence after killing 51 worshippers at two NZ mosques in 2019.
- Nick Perry
Christchurch shooter used drone to scope mosque
Australian Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced on 51 counts of murder and other charges for his 2019 attack on mosques in New Zealand that was streamed live on Facebook.
- Praveen Menon
March 2020
Deal with ISPs to block terror attack websites
An agreement between industry and the eSafety Commissioner will stop Australians viewing material that glorifies terror attacks.
- Andrew Tillett
September 2019
- Exclusive
- Digital Inquiry
'We feel responsible': Google CEO on 'problematic' YouTube content
Since tightening its hate speech policies in June, YouTube has taken down more than 100,000 videos and 17,000 channels.
- Max Mason
July 2019
We won't stand in the way of regulation: Facebook
With an ACCC report looming after the events of Christchurch and Cambridge Analytica, Facebook admits it is bracing for a wave of regulation around the globe.
- John Davidson
June 2019
Accused Christchurch gunman pleads not guilty
The Australian man accused of killing 51 people in New Zealand's worst peace-time mass shooting has pleaded not guilty to 92 charges.
- Charlotte Greenfield
May 2019
- Opinion
- Web culture
Well-meaning governments must be wary of playing big tech's PR game
Facebook et al had a huge PR win last week when NZ PM Jacinda Ardern's Christchurch Call let them pretend they can be left alone to fix their own problems.
- Paul Smith
- Analysis
- Web culture
Laws not promises needed to regulate big tech
ACCC chief Rod Sims has warned governments against accepting their promises of big tech companies to do better at policing content as experts call for global laws.
- Paul Smith
White House snubs global big tech pact for tougher livestreaming rules
The White House has said it won't not sign an international accord aimed at pressuring the big internet platforms to eradicate violent and extremist content.
- Opinion
- Social media
Time to end the age of anonymity online
Politicians have tried to get social media giants to censor content, but the only solution to raise the tone out of the gutter is to stop letting people hide their identity.
- Adir Shiffman
April 2019
Man charged after Anning press conference
A young man has been charged after a fight broke out following a Fraser Anning press conference in Sydney's south.
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
HESTA joins $1.4trn push for change at social media giants
The industry super fund, along with 44 other large investors, wants Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stop the spread of harmful content.
- Max Mason
Facebook 'morally bankrupt', says NZ commissioner
New Zealand's privacy commissioner has attacked social media giant Facebook, calling the company "morally bankrupt" after its response to the Christchurch terror attack.
- Nick Perry
'Kicking us while we're down': Atlassian chief savages new terror laws
Harsh new laws to jail tech executives over online streaming of violent material passed Parliament in less than an hour.
- Andrew Tillett, Yolanda Redrup and Max Mason
Accused Christchurch shooter faces 50 murder charges
Brenton Tarrant will face court tomorrow as New Zealand police formally charged him with 50 counts of murder and 39 of attempted murder over last month's mosque shooting.
Labor to wave through law to jail tech execs
Despite the tech sector and news organisations expressing laws are being rushed, the government is pushing ahead with its crackdown on social media spreading "abhorrent material".
- Andrew Tillett and Max Mason
'How pathetic': Senate votes to censure Anning
Fraser Anning has been roundly condemned by his parliamentary colleagues over his Christchurch terror attack comments, as the Queensland senator used the censure motion to appeal to disaffected voters.
- Tom McIlroy