Kids’ online safety under the spotlight as digital industry called to account

Fresh round of reporting notices issued by eSafety Commissioner

Google (including YouTube), Twitter, TikTok, Twitch and Discord have each been given a notice, calling on them to show what they’re doing to comply with the Australian Government’s Basic Online Safety Expectations.

The Commissioner’s focus is on the work platforms are doing to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as sexual extortion, resources being dedicated to safety efforts, and algorithmic recommendation systems.

The Expectations are a key part of the Online Safety Act 2021, and underpin efforts by eSafety, supported by the Government, to improve transparency and accountability.

The notices require the companies to explain what they are doing to meet the Expectations which are set out in the Act and supporting legislative instrument.

Providers now have 35 days to respond to the questions in the notice, and face hefty fines of up to $687,500 a day if they fail to comply.

For more information about the Basic Online Safety Expectations, visit https://www.esafety.gov.au/

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