Google, Civil Groups Concerned Over ‘World-First’ Australian Cyber Takedown Laws

A young boy using a laptop in a file photo. Illustration/Shutterstock

Sweeping new powers are being granted to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to monitor and takedown “seriously harmful content”, including those related to cyberbullying and revenge porn.

However, lawyers, civil rights groups, and tech giant Google have expressed concerns about the new law’s scope and possible infringements on civil liberties.

Introduced into Parliament last week, the Online Safety Bill grants the Commissioner authority to address headline issues such as cyberbullying, toxic online abuse, child sexual abuse, image-based abuse (revenge porn), and any other content deemed harmful. It also establishes minimum online safety guidelines for the industry.

“When people interact in person, they take for granted that the rule of law applies. People should be able to expect the same when they interact online,” Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said in a statement.

Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, speaks at the Museum of Contemporary Art before the Cathy Freeman projection event on September 25, 2020, in Sydney, Australia. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The Commissioner will also have the power to compel internet service providers to block access to content deemed harmful.

Further, app stores and search engines will need to remove software or links that enable such content proliferation.

Online service providers will initially receive a notice from the Commissioner and will have 24 hours to activate it or risk penalties.

The Commissioner will also be granted a rapid takedown power for “crisis events,” such as the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack that was live-streamed on Facebook.

Content blockages by the Commissioner can last up to three months under the law.