Govt to develop violent content blocking framework

The federal government has revealed plans to develop a content blocking framework to prevent Australians' exposure to violent material, such as the live-streamed Christchurch terror attack.

The government has accepted the recommendation of the Taskforce to Combat Terrorist and Extreme Violent Material Online to develop measures to block websites hosting harmful and extreme content.

Australia's eSafety Commissioner is working with the industry on options for introducing arrangements to quickly and effectively block access to domains hosting material from the Christchurch attack and from future similar events.

Determinations for blocking content will be made by the Commissioner on a case-by-case basis.

The government has also accepted the Taskforce's recommendation to establish an updated crisis management framework that includes a protocol for managing terrorist and violent material posted online.

The new protocol will include a 24/7 Crisis Coordination Centre to monitor and notify relevant agencies of online crisis events and provide the Commissioner with the information needed to undertake rapid assessments.

Earlier this year, the government introduced measures to allow it to compel the major social media companies to stop the publication of violent terror content in Australia.

The Taskforce was established in March following a meeting with the Prime Minister, and consists of Telstra, Vodafone, TPG, Optus, Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, Microsoft and Twitter.

Each Taskforce member has agreed to submit a detailed implementation plan for the new regime. The government has pledged to use legislative options if the digital platforms fail to improve the safety of their services.

"The shocking events that took place in Christchurch demonstrated how digital platforms and websites can be exploited to host extreme violent and terrorist content," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

"That type of abhorrent material has no place in Australia and we are doing everything we can to deny terrorists the opportunity to glorify their crimes, including taking action locally and globally."

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and Arts Paul Fletcher added that Australian ISPs already voluntarily blocked access to overseas websites hosting the Christchurch footage and the shooter's manifesto.

"This was a responsible move taken by Australia's major telecommunications companies that prioritised the safety of Australians online," he said.

"It is important that the government gives the industry the backing it needs for this type of action, now and into the future."

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/monsitj

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