Australia requires internet companies to curb abhorrent violent content

Australian Parliament has adopted a draft law, which is aimed at preventing the spreading of abhorrent violent material on the Internet, similar to the one that was live streamed on social media during Christchurch shootings on March 15. 

The Bill allows authorities to fine online platforms for failing to quickly remove such content. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said big social media companies have a responsibility to take every possible action to ensure their technology products are not exploited by terrorists. 

In an explanatory memorandum to the bill, published on the official website of parliament, Attorney-General Charles Christian Porter said the bill will ensure that hosting and content services expeditiously remove abhorrent violent material and notify the Australian Federal Police when it appears on their platforms. 

Failure to promptly remove violent material from the Internet will entail a fine of up to 2.1 million Australian Dollars or up to three years of imprisonment for individuals or both. 

Corporate bodies will be slammed with penalties amounting to 10.5 million Australian dollars or 10 per cent of a company’s annual turnover.

The Hindu