Australian Parliament to make platforms curb livestreaming

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s Parliament will pass legislation on Thursday that could imprison social media executives if their platforms stream violent images such as the New Zealand mosque massacres.

Critics warn that some of the most restrictive laws about online communication in the democratic world could have unforeseen consequences, including media censorship and reduced investment in Australia.

The government introduced the bills in response to the March 15 attacks in Christchurch in which an Australian white supremacist gunman apparently used a helmet-mounted camera to broadcast live video of the slaughter of 50 worshippers in two mosques.

RELATED: Australian senator censured for blaming Muslim victims

The government wants the House of Representatives to pass the law on Thursday, Parliament’s last sitting day before elections are expected to be held in May.

“Together we must act to ensure that perpetrators and their accomplices cannot leverage online platforms for the purpose of spreading their violent and extreme propaganda — these platforms should not be weaponized for evil,” Attorney-General Christian Porter told Parliament while introducing the bill.

The opposition’s spokesman on the attorney-general portfolio, Mark Dreyfus, said the bill would be passed on Thursday with the opposition Labor Party’s support, despite misgivings. If the Labor won government at the election, the law would be reviewed by a parliamentary committee.

The bill was passed by the Senate with the opposition party’s support without debate on Wednesday night.

RELATED: New Zealand lawmakers pass initial vote for new gun controls

The bill would make it a crime for social media platforms not to remove “abhorrent violent material” quickly. The crime would be punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 10.5 million Australian dollars ($7.5 million) or 10% of the platform’s annual turnover.

Platforms anywhere in the world would face fines of up to AU$840,000 if they fail to notify Australian Federal Police if they are aware their service was streaming “abhorrent violent conduct” occurring in Australia.

Arthur Moses, president of the Australian Law Council, the nation’s top lawyers group, said the bill should be reviewed by a parliamentary committee before becoming law.

“Whistleblowers may no longer be able to deploy social media to shine a light on atrocities committed around the world because social media companies will be required to remove certain content for fear of being charged with a crime,” Moses said in a statement. “It could also lead to censorship of the media, which would be unacceptable.”

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox, a leading business advocate, said more time was required to ensure the law did not unnecessarily impinge on existing fundamental media rights and freedoms.

“Rushing this legislation through will not make Australia safe,” he said.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today