Australia's 'Anti-Trolling' Bill Proposal Seeks Punishment for 'Offensive Content'

Australia's 'Anti-Trolling' Bill Proposal Seeks Punishment for 'Offensive Content'

CANBERRA — Australia’s Coalition party — a right-leaning partnership between the conservative Liberal Party and the rural/agricultural party The Nationals — has unveiled a legislative proposal that would mandate online platforms remove so-called "objectionable content" within 24 hours, or risk being blocked and heavily fined.

According to a report by The Guardian, under the Coalition’s proposed bill, “if a website or app ignores takedown notices for content such as child sexual abuse material, the e-safety commissioner will require search engines and app stores to block access to those services.”

“Websites and social media platforms will face fines of up to $555,000 for ignoring a direction to remove the trolling material, while individuals will face fines up to $111,000. These are sanctions already in place for cyberbullying a child, but will be extended to apply to adults.”

The Coalition’s phrasing of the legislation as to what constitutes "objectionable content" opens the door for effective state censorship of a wide array of content.

According to The Guardian, the proposed legislation “classifies cyber-abuse material aimed at adults as material an ‘ordinary reasonable person would conclude’ is ‘menacing, harassing or offensive.’”

The ill-defined “ordinary reasonable person” and “offensive” are particularly problematic for the exercise of free speech in Australia under the proposed regulation.

Australia does not have a formal Free Speech guarantee, like the American First Amendment, in their constitution.

According to the report, “a rapid website-blocking power has been added to allow the commissioner to respond to online crisis events.”

“The internet has brought great social, educational and economic benefits,” Federal Communications and Cyber Safety Minister Paul Fletcher said. “But just as a small proportion of human interactions go wrong offline, so, too, are there risks online. By establishing proper protections to help keep Australians safe online, we can in turn help Australians to realize the substantial benefits that come from using the internet.”

The legislation still needs to clear the multi-party Australian Parliamentary process. The Coalition often relies on the support of cross-bench minor parties — like the anti-immigrant One Nation Party and the Centre Alliance — and a small number of independents. The center-left Australian Labor Party, currently the opposition party, might also support the measure.

Social conservatives in Australia, including Fletcher and other members of the coalition routinely describe "violent pornography" — even if consensually produced — in the same context as sexual abuse and non-consensual videos.

Legal observers have noticed that the Coalition's "online harms" proposal seems to include certain provisions that target consensually produced hardcore content.

"Buried in the contents of the proposed new Online Safety Bill is that the new takedown notice scheme includes social media removal of RC pornography (fetish material) and X18+ content!" tweeted Jarryd Bartle today.

Main Image: Australia's Communications and Cyber Security Minister Paul Fletcher. (Photo: Paul Fletcher, MP)

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Braindance Unveils '6DOF' VR Tech

Interactive virtual reality platform Braindance has debuted its new Six Degrees of Freedom (6DOF) VR technology.

Kiiroo, Pineapple Support Launch 'Empower Hour' Series on FeelHubX YouTube Channel

Kiiroo and Pineapple Support have teamed up to launch the “Empower Hour” series on the FeelHubX YouTube channel.

Kansas Law Firm Deploys Religion, Bunk Science While Recruiting Plaintiffs Under AV Law

Kansas-based personal injury law firm Mann Wyatt Tanksley is promoting debunked scientific theories and leveraging religious affiliation against the industry while it seeks potential plaintiffs for lawsuits against adult companies under the state’s age verification law.

UK Tech Secretary Lists Age Verification Among OSA Priorities

Peter Kyle, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on Wednesday made public a draft version of his priorities for implementing the Online Safety Act (OSA), including age verification.

AEBN Publishes Popular Seraches by Country for September, October

AEBN has released its list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Avery Jane Featured on 'Adult Time Podcast'

Avery Jane is the latest guest on the “Adult Time Podcast,” hosted by studio CCO Bree Mills.

FSC: Kansas Law Firm Threatens Adult Site Over Age Verification

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has been notified that Kansas law firm Mann Wyatt Tanksley has sent a letter threatening an adult website with a lawsuit for breaking the state's age verification law.

10th Circuit Rejects Final FSC Appeal in Utah AV Case

The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit on Monday rejected a motion by Free Speech Coalition (FSC) requesting that the full court rehear its appeal in Free Speech Coalition v. Anderson, the industry trade association’s challenge to Utah’s age verification law.

Trump Nominates Project 2025 Contributor, Section 230 Foe to Chair FCC

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated, as his pick to head the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr — an author of Project 2025 who has called for gutting Section 230 protections.

Streamate's Elevate Partners With Miss Mei on Decriminalization Initiative

Streamate’s Elevate initiative is debuting a November collaboration with creator and community advocate Miss Mei that will highlight the modern criminalization of sex work.

Show More