Social media giants compelled by eSafety commissioner to report on efforts to combat terrorist and violent extremist material

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Australia’s eSafety commissioner has put the big social media companies on notice, demanding they do better to stop the proliferation of violent extremist material and activity on their platforms.

Julie Inman Grant said YouTube-owner Google, Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), Telegram, WhatsApp, Reddit and X (formerly known as Twitter), have all been sent legal notices demanding they show what steps they’re taking to protect Australians from online extremism.

Ms Inman Grant’s office said despite WhatsApp also being owned by Meta, it was sent its own notice as it runs as a separate legal and corporate identity.

She said they could face further enforcement action or fines if they don’t comply.

“All of them have evidence that has shown us that these are the primary platforms where terrorist and violent extremism is being hosted, shared or used to amplify pro-terror propaganda,” Ms Inman Grant said.

She referred to the 2019 terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch and how it was fuelled by violent extremism on online platforms.

As well as other forms of conflict propaganda such as what’s going on between “Ukraine and Russia or Israel and Hamas”, or “it could even be content from the insular sphere that’s seeking to weaponise misogynistic rhetoric and spill over into real-world harm”, Ms Inman Grant said.

The companies have 49 days to answer a series of questions about what they’re doing to put an end to extremist content on their platforms.

Ms Inman Grant said the commission wants to look more deeply at the “systems, processes, resources, innovation technologies these companies are using to prevent and deter violent extremism”.

That involves ensuring that when there are terrorist offenders spreading content, the company is permanently banning them.

The notices have been issued under powers granted by the Online Safety Act and Ms Inman Grant said if the companies don’t comply they could face civil legal proceedings and penalties.

‘David and Goliath battle’

Josh Roose, an associate professor of politics at Deakin University with a focus on violent extremism, said it’s time for a get-tough approach towards what he considers a “lax” attitude from social media giants.

He explained how violent, extremist content needs to be caught early, because “it’s very difficult to police in terms of the content once it actually reaches Australian bedrooms, Australian offices and people on their mobile phones”, Dr Roose said.

“But actually preventing those companies from operating here, may well cut them out from significant profits, and may force them to listen.”

Kaz Ross, an independent researcher of online extremism, applauds the eSafety commissioner’s move, but said it will come down to whether the companies will invest enough money and resources into stopping the proliferation of violent extremism on their platforms.

She also said they need to change the way their algorithms (the system of ranking content) can contribute and promote the worst kind of online material.

“We know from many, many studies about investigating online extremists, particularly mass shooters, that the algorithms of YouTube and in particular, TikTok just lead you further and further into extremist material,” Dr Ross said.

“The more engagement that you have with some material, whether you’re angry or upset about it, the more eyeballs on that material, the more people respond to it and comment on it, even if it’s to say how much they hate it, that then feeds the algorithm more and more.”

But Dr Ross warned the companies are very powerful and need to be held to account.

“It is a bit of a David and Goliath battle,” she said.

“But I’m hoping that the safety commissioner can really hold their feet to the fire and get them to improve their processes.”

A spokesperson for Facebook owner Meta said the company is currently reviewing the legal notice it received and that there is no place on Meta’s “platforms for terrorism, extremism, or any promotion of violence or hate”.

The spokesperson also said, “the safety of users is a top priority and it will continue to engage with the eSafety commissioner on these important issues.”

In a generic statement, Telegram said it’s committed to protecting user privacy and human rights.

The ABC also attempted to contact Google, WhatsApp, Reddit and X (formerly known as Twitter) for comment.