Horrific child sex abuse could see tech giants fines $550k

A major overhaul to tech laws could see tech giants fined $550,000 over one social media post.

Tech giants could be fined more than $550,000 for failing to pull down horrific child sex abuse material from websites, as the government continues to crack down on online harms.

Under new regulatory guidance, child sexual exploitation material and terrorist content will be removed by the eSafety Commissioner, no matter where in the world the content is hosted.

If websites or apps systemically ignore take down notices from the Commissioner, their sites could be delinked from search engines or their apps removed from app stores, under new laws set to be passed by the Morrison government.

In addition, individuals face fines of up to $111,000 per offence, while corporations could be penalised $555,000.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant will have greater powers under new laws introduced by the Morrison government to crack down on harmful online content.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the new powers would enable greater action to tackle child sex abuse, which continued to plague Australia’s online community.

“In 2020, we received over 21,000 public reports through our Online Content Scheme, the majority of which involved child sexual exploitation material,” she said.

“This was the most in the scheme’s 20-year history and a 90 per cent increase compared to 2019.

“Sadly, we have seen a continuation of this elevated level in 2021 and it represents a new normal.

“With these new powers, we will now be able to take real action to disrupt the trade in this distressing material and if online service providers fail to comply with our removal notices, they will face very real and significant consequences.”

The new laws will also target harmful online terrorist content, and will enable the Commissioner to move quickly to block and remove such content from online. Picture: Brianne Makin

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the government was serious about protecting Australians from exposure to harmful and illegal online content.

“The shocking events in Christchurch in 2019, where a single terrorist was able to live stream their crime using social media, was horrific and completely unacceptable,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Since that event, Australia has led the world in requiring digital platforms to lift their game in tracking terrorism content domestically, and through the agreement of other world leaders at the G20.

“Online communities don’t have borders, and yet many Australians access materials online. This new scheme will hold industry accountable for keeping users safe and empower the eSafety Commissioner to remove the worst of the worst online content no matter where it is.”

The new Act will also create a website blocking power which would enable the Commissioner the power to move quickly to require internet service providers to block access to websites hosting “abhorrent material” – like the livestreamed Christchurch attack – to stop its viral spread.