The Albanese Government acknowledges a new report released by the eSafety Commissioner today providing greater transparency on industry processes to address child sexual exploitation and abuse content on their platforms.
The report indicates that efforts to address online child sexual exploitation and abuse vary widely across selected services, with inconsistent use of technology to detect and prevent abuse material, and slow response times to complaints.
This is the eSafety Commissioner's first report informed by industry responses to non-periodic reporting notices issued under the Online Safety Act, and represents an important step in the ongoing implementation of the Act. eSafety's mandatory reporting power can require platforms to provide information about compliance with the Government's Basic Online Safety Expectations Determination, and supports greater transparency around industry actions to address online harms.
Notices to seven major technology companies - Apple, Microsoft, Skype, Meta, WhatsApp, Snap and Omegle - issued in August 2022 sought information about the steps they were taking to address child sexual exploitation and abuse content on their services.
Further notices are expected to be issued by the eSafety Commissioner in 2023 which will provide additional insights into what platforms are doing to keep Australian users safe, and what additional actions could be taken by Government and industry to support safety efforts.
This work complements another key element of the Online Safety Act, which requires the digital industry to develop new and strengthened industry codes, setting out how online service providers will protect Australians from exposure to harmful online content. The eSafety Commissioner has been working closely with industry and is currently considering the first set of draft codes, which focus on seriously harmful and illegal content, including child sexual abuse material.
The eSafety Commissioner's report can be found at www.esafety.gov.au/
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The Albanese Government is committed to protecting Australians online and to combatting all forms of child sexual exploitation.
"I expect industry to work cooperatively with the eSafety Commissioner to boost protections for Australians online - particularly our most vulnerable.
"I acknowledge the important leadership role the eSafety Commissioner plays in combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse online, her work to investigate and remove this harmful material from the internet, and to increase industry transparency".
