TECH AGAINST TERRORISM TO HELP AUSTRALIA COMBAT EXTREMISM ONLINE

The Albanese Labor Government is partnering with the Online Harms Foundation, the Australian arm of Tech Against Terrorism, with a new 24/7 crisis response capability to combat terrorist and violent extremism content online starting today. 

This new function will give Australia and our near region the ability to monitor and refer abhorrent content to digital platforms and government agencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Round the clock monitoring and referring will strengthen Australia’s crisis response, and our collective global response by extending the existing London-based Tech Against Terrorism response to the Indo-Pacific.

For the first time, Australia and the Indo-Pacific will benefit from this dedicated online monitoring capability with global reach. The 24/7 crisis response will support Australia in our determination to undermine efforts by terrorists and violent extremists who use the internet to glorify and instruct in acts of terror.

These efforts will make a significant contribution to the Christchurch Call, working to coordinate and prevent the spread of terrorist and violent extremist content online in real time.

The new monitoring function will enhance existing capabilities for urgent referrals of terrorist and violent extremist content online to the eSafety Commissioner.

Tech Against Terrorism works globally with the tech industry, particularly smaller tech platforms, to tackle terrorist activity on the internet. This includes identifying and disrupting material relating to attacks or other crisis situations online.

Tech Against Terrorism has a proven track record of working with governments and tech companies to develop effective strategies for countering online extremism.

The Australian Government’s collaboration with Tech Against Terrorism underscores our commitment to protecting Australians, doing our part for our region, and addressing the growing threat of extremism and terrorism online.

If you have concerns about possible signs of terrorism in the community, or terrorist and violent extremist content online, reports can be made to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 and the eSafety Commissioner at eSafety.gov.au

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke MP
“The Australian Government takes our obligation to protect Australians from online harm seriously.

“By partnering with Tech Against Terrorism, we are taking a proactive step to help address the threat of online radicalisation and terrorism here in Australia and in our region.

“This collaboration will help us strengthen our national security measures and protect our digital space from the spread of terrorist content, wherever in the world it originates.”

ENDS