Julie Inman Grant is Australia’s eSafety commissioner who leads the world’s first government regulatory agency committee to make its citizen’s online presence safe. She has the power to force social media giants to take down any post that amounts to online bullying. Also, fine the companies and those who hosted the alleged abuse. Moreover, she can have access to the identities of anonymous accounts that are involve in the alleged abuse.
What is Online Safety Act?
Australia’s eSafety is an online safety regulator with a primary role to take down harmful content online. Also, holding the companies accountable through initiatives like safety by design. The safety act includes the prevention of online harm through education, research, and awareness.
According to Guardian Essential poll in March, there was strong support for regulating social media companies. Almost 76% were in favor of forcing the companies to remove misinformation and disinformation. Additionally, Guardian says ‘’ Inman grant will have the power to force social media companies to take down posts that amount to online bullying.
Current updates
Last month, Inman Grant release a position paper on an industry code for restricting access to adult content online. According to the Guardian, a ‘’restricted access system’’ is announce this week. This requires all websites hosted in Australia to develop by January, require a system for users to declare 18 or older for the content.
It focuses on creating 18+ or category 1 material, which means sex, high impact nudity, violence, or drugs. which leads to the ‘’ age verification roadmap’’ which is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Moreover, according to this new roadmap, the Australian government will require all websites to use an age verification system regardless of where the site is being hosted.
Meanwhile, the federal government is also working on the‘’ basic online safety expectations’’ code, which requires big tech companies to report to the eSafety commissioner about how they are complying with the safety act. If they face reporting, they will face consequences including fines.
Online privacy law changes
On Monday, federal attorney general, Michaelia Cash, issued an exposure draft for online privacy laws. According to this law, minors will require parents’‘’ consent’’ for signing up for any social media site. The government is working on introducing strict requirements over the person’s information.
This also includes the refusal of permission for the personal information of individuals for direct marketing.
