NSW Police, eSafety Commissioner ink agreement to fight rising online criminal activity

The two agencies have signed a new partnership to tackle child sex abuse material and tech-facilitated violence, both of which are on the rise.

An MoU has been signed between the eSafety commissioner and NSW Police. Source: Supplied.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has signed a partnership with NSW Police in a bid to fight rising online criminal activity including the sharing of child sex abuse material and tech-facilitated violence.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant signed a Memorandum of Understanding at NSW Police headquarters on Tuesday, formalising protocols for their two agencies to co-operate more closely on investigating online harms.

As part of the agreement the eSafety office will share information from investigations into some of the thousands of complaints it receives every month.

Ms Inman Grant said that the NSW Police deal was one of a network of agreements with law enforcement agencies nationally and around the world. She said similar updates are progressing with state and territory police forces and Australian Federal Police bodies like Counter Terrorism and the Australian Centre for Countering Child Exploitation.

“Reports to eSafety have spiked alarmingly across all our reporting schemes in recent times,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“We recorded a 65 per cent jump in cyber-bullying last financial year alone, for example, a 55 per cent increase in image-based abuse and a 45 per cent increase in illegal and restricted content,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“As well as higher volumes, we’ve also observed online content and threats becoming more violent and, at times, criminal.

“As a result, we’re seeing increased community concern about everything from online dating to sextortion, cyber-bullying and youth crime being shared and promoted through social media.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the MoU showed the commitment both agencies had to promoting online safety.

“I am committed to keeping the community safe, both offline and online,” Ms Webb said. “The eSafety Commissioner plays an important role and we value our continued partnership to address online safety issues.”

Ms Inman Grant, a former Twitter executive, said she would be pursuing similar agreements with other agencies. She said internationally her office is currently working with IHOPE, a global network dedicated to tackling child sex abuse material, as well as Interpol and Europol.

Australian eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant pictured in their office in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“While eSafety is equipped with civil powers to address many online harms, it is vital we also work with law enforcement to target perpetrators and identify victims in more serious criminal matters,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“As the largest law enforcement agency in the Southern Hemisphere, NSW Police are a mission-critical partner for us as we work to jointly tackle online harms at scale and educate the NSW community about eSafety’s role.”

The update comes after Ms Inman Grant last week served Twitter, TikTok, Google, Twitch and Discord with legal notices under the federal government‘s new Basic Online Safety Expectations.

Under Australian law the eSafety Commissioner can compel tech giants to give detailed information about the frequency of child exploitation on their platforms and about measures they take to stamp it out, and fine them up to $700,000 per day if they fail to comply.