The federal government is seeking public feedback on whether the eSafety commissioner's online enforcement powers should extend to cover hate speech, 'pile-ons' and deepfakes.
The federal government has released an issues paper which canvasses a major expansion to the powers of the eSafety commissioner.
The federal government is seeking public feedback on whether the eSafety commissioner's online enforcement powers should extend to cover hate speech, 'pile-ons' and deepfakes. One idea canvassed is harsher fines for online platforms or individuals who seriously or systematically fail to comply with eSafety's orders. Currently companies who refuse to follow content take-down orders can face daily fines of up to $782,500, and individuals who ignore directions about image-based abuse can face daily fines of up to $156,500.
"Our laws... are not set-and-forget," Ms Rowland said. " to ensure these laws remain responsive to the rapidly changing digital environment."To this end, the issues paper canvassed a wide array of online content which may be considered harmful but is not captured by current laws, and where new powers could be needed.
Also on the list was technology-facilitated abuse -- that is, the use of technology to facilitate offline abuse, in particular male violence against women.The proposed changes come after child safety advocates accused the federal government of not doing enough to keep kids safe online.
"This is an opportunity for the community and civil society to have a role in reforms to strengthen our online safety laws, so they are fit for purpose in an ever-changing online environment," Ms Rowland said.
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