Tech giants accused of enabling terror by freely publishing hate speech

ONLINE giants Google, Facebook and Twitter have been accused of “enabling” violent extremism as the federal government flags a crackdown on platforms freely publishing hate speech.

ONLINE giants Google, Facebook and Twitter have been accused of “enabling” violent extremism as the Turnbull government flags a tough new crackdown on digital platforms that are freely publishing hate speech.

It can be revealed that more than 300 duplicate videos, which called for attacks against Australian citizens, were recently removed from 20 platforms within hours of receiving the referral from security agencies.

But some senior government figures are now asking how prominent internet companies allowed them to be published in the first place.

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Sources have told the Herald Sun that Australia could join with Britain and other key allies to further regulate cyberspace by putting a legal responsibility on industry not to direct users — even unintentionally — toward extremist propaganda.

Some “Five Eyes” member nations — an intelligence sharing alliance between Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US — are considering introducing domestic sanctions to ensure compliance which would give regulators the ability to fine or prosecute those companies that fail in their legal duties.

Tech giants have been called upon to step up the fight against hate speech and radicalisation online.

Companies are also being urged to develop technology which automatically identifies and removes messages that incite violence.

It’s understood an industry-wide levy could also be applied to social media companies and service providers to support awareness of deradicalisation and preventive extremism online.

A government source said: “There’s clearly a balance to be struck but these companies are losing their social licence — some of them are simply enabling extremism.”

The Turnbull government has also pledged to spearhead an international crackdown on encrypted messaging services being used to plan terror attacks.

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Attorney-General George Brandis will use an upcoming intelligence meeting in Canada to push for new laws forcing digital companies including giants Apple, Facebook and Google to open up devices and encrypted messaging services to intelligence surveillance.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined British counterpart Theresa May last week following the bloodshed in London to emphasise the role of social media giants in the spread of terrorism.

The PM said there was “too much tolerance of extremist material on social media” and it would require further co-operation from internet providers.

“They, of course, are American businesses. They are headquartered in the United States and it is one of the priorities that we have and our friends in the UK have as we work as part of the Five Eyes intelligence community,” Mr Turnbull said.

More than 50,000 IS-related accounts exist on Twitter.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan told the Herald Sun that “challenging and undermining” the appeal of terrorist propaganda was a priority of the government, which had already invested $21.7 million to fight online extremism.

“Just as Australia cannot fight any military conflict against ISIL unilaterally, we cannot counter violent extremism alone, particularly online,” Mr Keenan told the Herald Sun.

“That is why it is more important than ever that governments have strong partnerships with technology and social media companies.”

Mr Keenan said it was through the government’s “robust engagement” with service providers, including social media companies, that more than 300 duplicate videos calling for attacks against Australian citizens were recently removed “within hours” of receiving the referral.

Google has already begun attempts to divert Australian online searches for extremist material towards warnings about radicalisation.

More than 50,000 IS-related accounts exist on Twitter alone while Facebook has pledged to become a “hostile place” for IS and that keeping people safe was its “number one priority”.

Senator Brandis said existing laws don’t go far enough in imposing obligations on “corporates” to co-operate.

He said civil liberties points of view needed to be heard but he believed attitudes — especially among young people — towards the concept of privacy were changing.