Telcos will get the power to block hate websites during terror events
A new Morrison government crackdown will give telcos the power to block extremist online chat forums during terror events such as the Christchurch massacre.
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Extremist online chat forums will be blocked during terror events to protect Australians from live-streaming of violent attacks such as the Christchurch massacre.
Under a Morrison government crackdown targeting notorious websites such as 4chan, 8chan and Voat, new guidelines will empower telcos to block so-called “hate websites” that have become the go-to forums for mass killers.
The plan, to be unveiled today, lays down clear rules allowing telcos to restrict access to online message boards or video-sharing sites, protecting them against accusations of censorship.
During any future terror attack, a centralised crisis centre will work with the eSafety Commissioner to assess violent content being spread online and alert the industry.
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After the Christchurch massacre, Australian telcos blocked sites that shared footage of the attack that killed 50 people. The decision was risky given they acted without approval from the Australian Communications and Media Authority or the eSafety Commissioner.
However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who arrived in France overnight to take part in the G7 leaders’ forum for the first time in its 45-year history, said such abhorrent material had “no place in Australia”.
“The shocking events that took place in Christchurch demonstrated how digital platforms and websites can be exploited to host extreme violent and terrorist content,” Mr Morrison said. “We are doing all we can to deny terrorists the opportunity to glorify their crimes, including taking action locally and globally.”
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said it was important that the government “gives the industry the backing it needs”.
The content-blocking framework was recommended by a taskforce of tech giants and industry experts who produced a report commissioned by the Morrison government.
The latest crackdown comes just weeks after Mr Morrison secured an unprecedented agreement at the G20 leaders meeting in Japan to take on social media companies that fail to act against live-streaming of violence and terrorism.
Mr Morrison is expected to build on his G20 victory at the G7 meeting, which brings together the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, Canada and the US.
Mr Morrison has been asked to take part in a meeting on Monday to ensure the internet is open, free and safe. It is expected to cover ways to tackle online bullying, hate speech and terrorist content.
The latest development comes after The Sunday Telegraph revealed tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter had agreed to limit live- streaming and create algorithms to divert internet users away from violent material.
Digital platforms have also vowed to produce customer satisfaction reports that will include the number of items flagged by users as violent and details of how quickly the content was removed.
Originally published as Telcos will get the power to block hate websites during terror events
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